J LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. ♦ I 



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|ltHp. 



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t UNITED STATES OP AMERICA. ! 



CHANGING THE CROSSES 



AND 



WINNING THE CROWN. 




Changing the Crosses and Winning the Crown. 



v'^ r^ r^ T^ C* 



Changing the Crosses 



WINNING THE CROWN. 



BY 



MARIE A. IDEEN. 




PHILADELPHIA: 

J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. 

1872. 



The Library 
OF Congress 

WASHINGTON 






\ 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by 

MARIE A. IDEEN, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 



Dear Reader,- — I wish to introduce this 
little work, setting it forth to you in great 
simplicity of style, laying infinitely more 
weight on the blessed Word of God, as it 
was delivered to the people of old, so that 
the plainest mind could comprehend its con- 
tents, rather than upon any eloquence or 
argument of my own. Thus I will picture 
the Changed Cross, hoping that the more 
learned of my readers may excuse the hum- 
ble language in which I present it. I trust, 
however, dear reader, that you may derive 
some comfort from it, to strengthen and guide 
you in bearing the cross until your material 
life is ended, and you can lay it down at our 
Saviour's feet, rejoicing that you, in your life- 
(v) I* 



vi Introductory Re^narks, 

time, accepted the invitation to come unto 
Him, which is given to all. This, I hope, 
may be your portion, and then to enjoy that 
heavenly rest, after carrying the cross and 
exchanging all the sorrows and privations of 
life into joys everlasting. 



J 



CONTENTS. 



EAGE 

Chapter 1 9 

Chapter II 31 

Chapter III 43 

Chapter IV 57 

Chapter V 66 

Chapter VI 78 

The Cross 114 

The Cross-bearer 115 

The Crown 116 

The Palm of Victory 118 

The Wedding Garment 119 

The Celestial City 120 



Changing the Crosses 



WINNING THE CROWN. 



CHAPTER I. 

In the mansions of heaven 

We shall find rest Seek the road 

That leadeth there ; and remember 

The Cross and the Crown : 

It is the cross-bearer that shall be crowned. 

In the mansions of heaven 
The crosses will cease. Let us carry them 
Faithfully till there we have reached ; 
Then in harmony with angels bright 
We shall find they will welcome us 
Into our rest. 

A T Nature's beautiful shrine we stoop to 
-^ ^ gather flowers to adorn the cross we 
wish to carry ; but there is one who bids us 

(9) 



lo Changing the Crosses 

come unto Him, and take up our cross daily 
and follow in his footsteps ; and He invites all 
to come that are weary and heavy-laden, and 
says, '' I will give you rest. Take my yoke 
upon you, and learn of me ;" ^' for my yoke is 
easy and my burden is light." 

These, my dear reader, are the words of 
our blessed Master, w^ho bids us come to 
Him and change crosses. He knew that no 
one could find heaven by carr^nng a cross of 
flowers. No; we must lay it down and take 
up the one that our Saviour offers, and that 
will be the chosen of God for every child that 
wishes to go to that beautiful heaven which 
St. Paul speaks of, " the glory of which never 
entered into man's heart to conceive." We 
must listen to what the Saviour -has said when 
He bids us all come unto him, — He that w^as 
meek and lowly of heart. 

And that we may exchange crosses with 
our Saviour, we must first be w^illing to take 
up the cross that comes daily, and not be 
troubled what kind of a cross it is. We chil- 



and Winning the Crown. 1 1 

dren of earth desire to carry crosses that 
have no wreaths of sorrow around them, and 
we desire to adorn them with all that would 
make our life happy. But such crosses wull 
not lead us in the w^ay to heaven. Let us 
consider well what we have to do as cross- 
bearers, journeying that way, — the way to the 
city of peace, where dwell the holy ones, the 
redeemed of earth, who are spoken of in 
Revelation, vii. 14, as having come out of 
great tribulation. 

As I am one of the cross-bearers of the 
exchanged cross, I will, in the first place, in- 
form you that I once loved to carry the cross 
of flowers; but its beauty faded, and I am 
thankful to God that He showed me the dif- 
ference between the two crosses ; and I wish 
you to become acquainted with the nature 
and quality of each. 

In the first place, let me carry you to one 
of the heights of earthly delights before we 
descend together into the garden of sorrow, 
and there learn how to reach the summit of 



12 Changing the Crosses 

heavenly blessedness. Then I shall invite 
you to sit with me in misfortune's shade, for 
I shall have words to say which may prove 
useful to you in your own subsequent experi- 
ence ; but first we will go in our thoughts, if 
you will follow me, in the past when I carried 
the flowery cross. Not a withered blossom 
was on its breast. It was adorned with the 
choicest flowers ; its name was that of love's 
token of uninterrupted joys and worldly hap- 
piness of every kind. 

I thought that those flowers could never 
wither; but oh, when they commenced to be 
wet with sorrow's dew, then I saw the leaves 
shrivel up and the blossoms droop, as a token 
that they were dying with sorrow and blighted 
hopes! Then I thought this. cross I cannot 
bear any more with comfort ; all is so dark 
and desolate within and without; another I 
must have to console my woe. But, as I 
sought for another, and again for another, I 
found that all had their thorns and thistles 
among the flowers ; and so, at last, a voice 



and Winning the Crown, 13 

spoke to my saddened heart, *^ Seek not to 
cull the flowers of earth ; stoop not to pluck 
them ; for they will all wither, and the gar- 
lands that you have twined for their adorn- 
ment will only whisper sadness in their fra- 
grance. But come and follow me. I will 
lead you in ways that shall enrapture your 
soul ; and then in heavenly harmony you 
shall find angels that will show you the gar- 
den of Paradise, where the cross-bearers of 
earth's flowery crosses can exchange them 
for the beautiful flowers of heaven, that grow 
by the clear streams of Paradise, and invite 
every wayfaring child of earth to come up 
higher and higher, to see their beauty.'' 

Oh, there is beauty unspeakable and full of 
glory, to which you are invited ! You must 
learn how all things work together for good, 
even if your cross seem heavy. Remember, 
that there was One who suffered and died 
that you might be saved, if you will follow in 
his footsteps, lie speaks to you in tender 
tones, '' Come, follow me ;" and He will lead 
2 



14 Changing the Crosses 

you to streams of living purity, where you 
shall taste the delights of the upper sanc- 
tuary. 

Dear reader, we are to mount the summit 
of perfection by going through sorrow's gar-* 
den, and there pluck the immortal flowers 
that grow by the wayside of despair, suffering 
disappointments of numerous kinds. To this 
all are invited who w^ish to become bearers of 
the cross that our Saviour offers. 

Oh, come, ye children of earth, and let this 
console you, that peace shall be your portion; 
for the Master said, '* My peace I give unto 
you ; not as the world giveth give I unto 
you." "And I shall pray my Father for you, 
that your faith shall not fail." So we have 
one that has shown us how we are to reach 
that heaven of peace where dwell the right- 
eous of the Lord. 

And now, as we give ourselves up to follow 
the Master, we shall be guided and protected 
into a pure and holy way, for He assures us 
that He is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." 



and Winning the Crown, 15 

Now, if we make up our minds to follow Him 
wheresoever He goeth, we shall find that we 
are in the way that leadeth to heaven. He 
also said, " I am the Light of the world." 
And if we follow that Light, we cannot walk 
in darkness. We must be willing to accept his 
precepts, and to bid farewell to all the flowery 
crosses of earth, remembering that we have 
set out for heaven, and if we have no cross 
we cannot have the crown ; and the greater 
the cross, the brighter will be the crown. 
May we be able, as we pass through this 
earth's weary pilgrimage, to learn the lessons 
of redeeming love, that we may not only be 
purified from sin ourselves, but be able to 
purify each other, feeling that we have a duty 
to perform to our neighbor as well as to our- 
self ; and, like our Saviour, may we be able 
to say, *^ My yoke is easy and my burden is 
light !'* He said, " I come to do the will of 
my Father ;" and we are his friends if we do 
whatsoever He commanded us. 

We have all a duty to perform to each 



1 6 Changing the Crosses 

other, to ourselves, and to our God. But we 
must, first of all, take up our cross daily, and 
follow the Saviour; we must be pure in heart, 
pure in mind, and give up all that corrupts 
soul and body, feeling that, without holiness, 
" no one shall see God." 

May you, my readers, all feel in unison with 
me in thinking it is delightful to ascend the 
mount of God, even if it leads through sor- 
row's garden. We must not forget the gar- 
den and the cross. The cross is reared in 
sorrow's garden, in harmony with the divine 
teaching, and we shall all find that it is heavy, 
unless we do the will of the Master, who has 
carried it before us, to cheer and brighten our 
way by his divine example. He says, " Ye 
cannot be my disciples except ye keep my 
commandments ;" '' He it is that loveth me 
who loveth his brother." And by this w^e 
know that we have passed from death unto 
life, because we love the brethren. '' He that 
loveth not his brother abideth in death." Now 
it is not sufficient that we carry our own 



and Winning the Crown, 17 

crosses, but we have to help to carry those of 
others also. He says, " Love one another, as 
I have loved you." 

" In my Father's house are many mansions ; 
if it were not so I should have told you." 
We are to prepare our hearts and make them 
ready for the holy ones to dwell in, so that 
the Father and the Son can come and take up 
their abode in them. We must be willing to 
be regenerated, and free from all that pollutes 
the soul and the body ; and thus our hearts 
will become fit temples for the holy ones to 
dwell in. Love one another, and so fulfill the 
whole law of Christ, as it reads in Galatians, 
v. 14. We are to look to God for wisdom in 
all that pertains to our own and others' tem- 
poral and spiritual welfare. Thus we fulfill 
the whole law. 

How different modern Christianity is in 
comparison with that of Christ and the Apos- 
tles! He says, " If ye love me, keep my com- 
mandments, and teach men to do likewise." 
That shows to us that we must not only keep 
2* 



1 8 Changing the Crosses 

them ourselves, but we must impart them to 
others also. Therefore, those who do not 
keep the Master's command must commence 
in earnest, and for their very lives, while 
time is given them to accept the offer of 
mercy. Work while it is day, for the night 
Cometh, when no man can work ; plant and 
sow in the right time the heavenly seeds of 
his teaching, in the garden of your heart, that 
every day you live you may have fruit to the 
glory of God, to show to the world that the 
seed has taken root. Christ said, " In this is 
my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit." 
John, XV. 8. So we must all in unison try to 
be true followers of Christ, and take up his 
cross daily, that we may be faithful witnesses 
of his suffering, remembering that if we do 
not suffer with Him we cannot reign with 
Him. This is a very different path to that of 
walking on roses and carrying the flowery 
cross. Let us be faithful to our high calling 
in Jesus Christ, and neither look to right nor 
left for any worldly comfort ; but march for- 



and Winnmg the Crown. 19 

ward to the mark of perfection, realizing that 
there is a prize to be gained, and only as we 
can lay down the attire of worldliness and 
worldly pleasures, putting on the armor of 
God and fighting manfully to establish the 
household of God, can we help to form the 
kingdom of heaven upon earth as it is in 
heaven. 

Has it ever occurred to you who read these 
pages how God's kingdom is to be estab- 
lished upon the earth, and his will be done on 
earth as it is in heaven ? Heaven's first law 
is order ; that is, we must recognize that we 
are living under the laws of heaven, although 
man in his ignorance does not realize the laws 
that govern his inner nature ; but when he de- 
sires to do good, evil is present. We ought to 
live to elevate our better nature, and we must 
be willing to become what our Saviour has 
commanded us to be. We shall be, as He 
says, '' his friends," if we do whatsoever He 
has told us to do. 

In order that we may learn to know his 



20 Changhig the Crosses 

teachings fully, we must do as He said, 
" Search the Scriptures," for they do testify of 
Him ; and we must feel that we are compelled 
to take up his life in our life to be his true 
followers. He never set forth in his teachings 
that we should have nothing to do but think 
of Him and . call upon his name. He says, 
Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, 
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; but 
he that doeth the will of my Father which is 
in heaven." Matthew, vii. 21. He says, also, 
** I came to do the will of Him that sent me, 
and ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I 
have commanded you." 

We cannot be his chosen disciples if we do 
not follow the Saviour. We ought to fall so 
in love with the character of Christ that we 
shall have it for our daily meditation, ex- 
claiming, from our innermost soul, like the 
man spoken of in the Word (Luke, ix. 57, 58), 
who was so in love with Christ that he said, 
" Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou 
goest." To this Christ answered, '' Foxes 



and Winning the Crown, 21 

have holes,' and birds of the air have nests ; 
but the Son of man hath not where to lay his 
head." This, perhaps, will be our portion if 
we, like that man, desire to follow the Master. 
But let us remember that we are, all of us 
here below, only on a journey, and soon the 
weary pilgrimage shall be over ; and then it 
is well to have laid up treasures where neither 
rust nor moth destroy. Let us be of the num- 
ber that do not live for this world ; but while 
we live in it let us make right use of it, and 
seek out the poor, the destitute, that have no 
homes nor any comforts on their journey, and 
carry to them the glad tidings of redeeming 
love, and help those who are in need. 

Christ knew that his followers could not 
have much of this world's goods, because if 
we wish to carry the same cross that He did, 
we must sympathize with each other, and dis- 
tribute our goods to each other as the suffer- 
ing stand in need of them. Acts, ii. 45. 

Dear reader, what does it matter for the 



22 Changing the Crosses 

little time we are here on this earth, even if 
we should be deprived of all worldly enjoy- 
ments ? Let us try in earnest, and see how 
near we can come into those steps that we are 
commanded to follow. Remember, it is im- 
possible to walk in the footsteps of our Sa- 
viour if we are not willing to carry the cross, 
for surely there is a cross for us to bear all 
the' way through life. But when we think 
that He, whose every breath was human love, 
tells us to follow, can you hesitate to obey the 
command and willingly to lay down your 
flowery cross and exchange it for the one He 
offers ? Oh, could we all realize how glori- 
ous it is to be a true cross-bearer of our Sa- 
viour, and feel his holy spirit whispering to 
us, " Be of good cheer, I have overcome the 
world," how unspeakably blessed would be 
our lot both here and hereafter ! 

He said, " In the world ye shall have tribu- 
lation ; but in me ye shall have peace.*' 

Oh, that peace on our pilgrimage that 
soothes every troubled wave in our breast 



and Winning the Crown. 23 

and leaves a quiet calm ! This is what we 
need. Without this we cannot bear up under 
the heavy crosses of life that we have to 
carry ; but if we are willing, we shall find 
that we are not alone on our pilgrimage ; for 
Christ said, when He left his Apostles, that it 
was expedient that He should go ; for if He 
did not go, the Comforter would not come. 
And mark what follows. When He comes 
'^He will guide you into all truth;" "He 
shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever 
He shall hear, that shall He speak, and He 
will show you things to come.'' Now, let us 
look at these words, written in John, xvi., and 
see if we can gain any light to our under- 
standing. 

It appears that this Comforter, the spirit of 
truth that Christ spake about as to come, is 
something more besides the Legacy, that is to 
say, the Word, that was left for our instruc- 
tion. As He said, there is another spirit to 
come, even the spirit of truth, to each one of 
us, and He is to declare what He hears, and 



24 Changing the Crosses 

guide us into all truth. This opens a new 
channel through which we are to discover the 
hidden things of God. He will speak to us 
of what He hears, and that will be truth, be- 
cause Christ said we should be led into all 
truth, through this spirit. Now% let us reflect 
upon the remarks presented, and learn what 
our Saviour says. It " was expedient that He 
should go, otherwise this spirit could not 
come." ''And when He comes He shall re- 
prove the world of sin, because He went to 
the Father." Now, this holy spirit, the spirit 
of truth, that is to accomplish this mighty 
work in us, is that spirit that vibrates through 
the whole angelic host ; and as we become 
imbued with this spirit, we can enter into rap- 
port with those holy ministering spirits which 
we read of in Hebrews, i. 14; ii. 15, "that is 
sent to minister unto them who shall be heirs 
of salvation," and Psalm xci.: ''The great 
God has given his angels charge over us, to 
keep us in all our ways, and hold us up in 
their hands." And the whole Bible speaks 



and Winning the Crown, 25 

in its records of such visitations to mortals. 
These good and holy ones will lead us every 
moment of our life, if we will be led and 
guided by them. The Word declares that 
" they are sent to minister to those that shall 
be heirs of salvation ;" " And how shall we 
escape if we neglect so great salvation ?" We 
are to give heed to all this, not to make light 
of it, and shut the door on these glorious 
lights that were sent by the Father to come 
and guide mortals in the way they are to go. 
And if we ourselves cannot comprehend how 
we are to be guided by these ministering 
spirits that are to bear witness of Christ, let 
us see and learn of those that have the gift to 
understand what they bear to us in their 
sacred mission. Christ had angels minister- 
ing to Him ; and should we be above their 
ministration, when He that was perfect needed 
their presence ? May God help us to com- 
prehend the Father's love towards us all, who 
says He has sent his angels to lead us in our 
ways! 

3 



26 Changing the Crosses 

Now, we, all of us, need to feel in our in- 
nermost, if not gifted with outward vision, 
that those angels guard us ; and, as the Word 
teaches, " There is more joy in heaven over 
one sinner that repenteth, than over ninety 
and nine just persons who need no repent- 
ance." Let us look at this in its true light. 
It shows us that angels know all that befall 
sinners on their journey of life ; and we can 
see, or ought to see by this, how necessary it 
is so to live and act that we can have them for 
our company, and know they have joy in their 
heavenly mansions because a sinner has re- 
pented. 

Oh, friends, let us have this picture contin- 
ually before our eyes, — the changed cross ; 
for by this change only can we cause joy in 
heaven. How necessary, then, it is for us to 
cease sinning, and try to live a life of purity, 
that we may blend with those heavenly inhab- 
itants that visit us daily, watching over us for 
our welfare, surrounding our dwellings, that 
the destroyer cannot come near unto us ! But 



and Winning the Crown, 27 

this can only be as we desire above every- 
thing to be pure, perfect, and holy in all 
things : then those heavenly guards can visit 
us. But if we, on the other hand, live a life 
of sin and abomination, contrary to the life 
and teachings of Christ, then we cannot ex- 
pect that we can attract those heavenly mes- 
sengers ; but, instead, we draw evil spirits, that 
pollute us with vices of every kind, and estab- 
lish themselves within us until they become 
the rulers of our lives. 

I speak as one having some authority in 
these matters, for I am not unacquainted with 
the vices and plans of the destroyer, and how 
he seeks to entrap the soul through human 
agency ; but I have tasted of life's bitter cup, 
and I can assure you it pays you, even while 
in earth-life, to set out to be a Christian. 

Out of evil Cometh good; so we must never 
think there is no help for us; neither that 
God is so merciful that it does not matter 
how we live, or that Christ died for us, and 
all will be right. This reasoning will not do 



28 Changing the Crosses 

for a man's salvation. We read in Phil. ii. 12, 
21, that we are to work out our own salvation 
with fear and trembling; seeking the things 
which are Jesus Christ's, and walking after the 
pattern set before us of Him. This is what 
we have to do while traveling through this 
pilgrimage, if we would gain heaven. Who 
would like to live always away from heaven, 
— that beautiful home ? Let us reason, and see 
how great God's love is to us. He has given 
us all that we need on this earth ; everything 
grows for food and raiment for the body. All 
things are provided by a kind and loving 
Father, who says, "If your earthly father and 
mother forsake you, I will take you up." 
Oh, let us not forget to lift up our hearts to 
this Father ; and each time that we share the 
bounties of his love in food, drink, or raiment, 
or anything that is supplied to the needs 
either of body or soul, let us not be ashamed, 
as so many are in this day of general unbe- 
lief, to thank Him for his bounties. He tells 
us that we must not take any thought for to- 



aitd Winning the Crown. 29 

morrow, for to-morrow will take care of itself; 
and He has taught us to seek first the king- 
dom of God and his righteousness, and all 
the rest shall be given unto us. 

This, no doubt, seems strange to many, but 
nevertheless it is true, that if we use the facul- 
ties for our support that God has given to us, 
we shall have what we need. And if the day 
sometimes seems cloudy, as though his coun- 
tenance was withdrawn, and seemingly He had 
forgotten us, let us remember that He hides 
Himself only for a season, and at such times 
there will be a trial of our faith. But no one 
has ever yet been confounded that put his 
trust in the Lord. He is a safe refuge, if we 
live in his laws and follow in his precepts. 
We can never have a better friend, for He is a 
friend at all times and under all circumstances, 
and to love Him we must enter into commu- 
nion with Him, as a child with a kind father. 
He will hear us, if we come in the right 
way. 

3* 



30 Changing the Crosses 

m 

When we first awake in the morning, we 
are to think of our heavenly Father, and pray 
to Him, that He will keep us from sinning, 
and make us pure in heart, that all our deal- 
ings may please Him. And then we must 
also remember that we have a duty to our 
fellow-men who travel with us through this 
pilgrimage. They need a consoler as well as 
ourselves. Let us speak words of cheer to 
each other; and may we feel that life thereby 
is made better. And, as the Word teaches in 
I. John, iv. 20, " He that loveth not his brother 
whom he hath seen, how can he love God 
whom he hath not seen ?" So, however poor, 
sinful, and degraded, let us, as far as we can, 
get rid of our own sins, — pride and corrup- 
tion ; try to be the ones to redeem, comfort, 
and help each other while we are on the way, 
that we may all become a purified band of 
Christ's followers, and our Father may say to 
us at the journey's end, " These are my be- 
loved sons and daughters, in whom I am well 
pleased !" 



and Winning the Crown. 31 



CHAPTER II. 



If with thorns and thistles 
Thy pathway be strewed, 
Remember the walks of Paradise 
Are strewed with flowers. 



'^ I ^O this thorny road we will, in the first 
^ place, direct our attention; and, as we 
travel on its piercing thorns, we must remem- 
ber that we form blpssoms of heavenly beauty 
to adorn the path of Paradise. None can 
enter in there on those glorious walks without 
first having trod among the thistles of the 
earth. 

Let us see what those thistles consist of. 
We are wandering hither and thither, seeking 
life's flower-strewed path. But here we must 
say with the Psalmist, ** All is vanity and vex- 
ation of spirit ;" and mortals cannot find them 



32 Changing the Crosses 

as lasting roads. Those of you that are des- 
tined to heaven must carry the cross, and 
often a heavy one ; not of rare beauties, but 
such as the most of us would shrink from. 
Dear friends, as you commence to be cross - 
bearers of the cross that Christ offers, you 
must look to God, from whence cometh our 
help, and remember that He has promised 
that He will never forsake us, but be with us 
to the end. We shall find, in so doing, that 
we shall have sufificient strength to carry our 
crosses ; and if thorns and thistles pierce our 
feet while here in this valley of grief, and 
often, as though the weary traveler were 
enwrapped with the clouds of affliction, let us 
remember there will be sunrise of joy on re- 
surrection morning. So, if life is ever so 
cheerless, let us not be discouraged or down- 
hearted, but make up our minds to this effect, 
that if the whole of life's pathway should be 
strewn with thorns and thistles, we will carry 
our crosses, God and his holy angels that are 
sent helping us. To this we must try to say, 



and Winning the Crown, 33 

Amen, and march forward, remembering that 
there is a prize to be gained. 

Heaven rejoices over every traveler that has 
set out for the celestial city, — the place of the 
living God, where dwell the faithful children 
of the Most High. May we be able to reach 
that holy place of uninterrupted happiness! 
To be able to reach that place, we must give 
up all that bewilders the senses with the pride 
of the flesh and lust of the eye, — desiring 
nothing higher than to be endowed with 
purity of heart; longing after nothing but 
what will make us heavenly and divine. 

If these be our wishes, we shall be helped 
and assisted, and be able, as the Word teaches, 
to work out our own salvation. 

Angels help us, because they are sent from 
our Father to teach us ; and if we only try to 
live a pure, holy, and sacrificing life, they will 
help us in all that pertains to our true happi- 
ness in this life and the life to come. 

We are their pupils, because God has, as 
we read in Heb. i. 14, sent them to minister 



34 Changing the Crosses 

to those that shall be heirs of salvation, and 
to hold us up in all our ways. And if we 
desire to be like angels, and dwell with them 
eternally, we shall have a crown on our fore- 
head and a palm of victory in our hands. 

Oh, dear reader, is this not worth while car- 
r>^ing the cross for a little longer, and then in 
rapturous delight enjoy such a heaven of bliss 
for evermore ? 

To this you are invited, and for this pur- 
pose the angels are sent to teach you and 
beckon you heavenw^ard, — to come home ; 
and, while on earth, to prepare for that home. 
Yes, let us give more earnest heed to the 
things spoken of by angels, that when the 
time comes we can lay down our crosses and 
take up the crown and the palm. May we be 
the blessed souls that have followed the teach- 
ings of those that have been sent to us for 
our instruction ; and then be able, in unison 
with them, to celebrate the joys in heaven 
over sinners that have repented; and may 
each one of us feel that we belong to that 



and Winning the Crown, 35 

number that have gained redemption through 
the repentance from sin. Hoping, my reader, 
that we all may have a desire to live a pure 
life, free from sin, and advance towards per- 
fection until we have given up all that is con- 
trary to the laws and statutes of God. 

It is necessary that we should drink of life's 
bitter cup ; for if we have not tasted of its bit- 
terness, how can we realize Christ's sayings 
to those in St. Mark, x. 38, who ask of Him 
to have it granted unto them to sit with Him 
in his glory ? To which He answered them, 
" Ye know not what ye ask. Can ye drink 
of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized 
with the baptism that I am baptized with ?" 
And they answered Him, " We can.'' Then 
Jesus said unto them, " Ye shall indeed drink 
of the cup that I drink of; and with the bap- 
tism that I am baptized withal shall ye be 
baptized." 

That shows us, according to these words, 
that we cannot enter heaven without drinking 
the bitter cup, and being baptized with the 



36 Changing the Crosses 

baptism of sorrow. Oh, that we may reflect 
upon this as we ought to, not forgetting that 
we are travelers of a day, and know not if 
another day, month, or year shall be granted 
unto us ! 

Let us, then, be up and doing, — a heart 
ready for any trial of faith that the great God 
in his providence has ordained for us. May 
we feel that our heavenly Father doeth all 
things well ! — and if we only put our trust in 
Him, we shall find that our life will glide on 
with inward peace, such as this world cannot 
give, because this world's comforts are at most 
but vanity and vexation of spirit. Nothing is 
worth living for but that only which fits and 
prepares us to join the heavenly company 
that has passed through the valley and shadow 
of death, and now enjoy life everlasting. 

For, to reach those heavenly inhabitants, 
we must be willing to empty the cup of bit- 
terness, carrying our crosses, however heavy 
they may be ; remembering " that afflictions, 
if properly received, shall work out a far 



and Winning the Crown, 37 

more exceeding weight of glory than this 
world ever could bestow upon us." This is 
what is promised to those that become puri- 
fied through affliction's heavy yoke. Then, 
again, we have Christ's words, "Come unto 
me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and 
I will give you rest;" for He says, **My yoke 
is easy and my burden is light," and " learn 
of me, for I am meek and lowly of heart." 
Oh, what a blessed invitation, — that we can 
come, at any time, to learn such sublime les- 
sons of humiliation and comfort ! Let this 
console you, oh, weary pilgrim, on life's jour- 
ney, — that He trod the same path that He 
wishes you to travel ! 

He says that we must follow in his foot- 
steps; that comes very close to his suffer- 
ing ; and when we commence to realize that 
it is only through suffering, deprivation, and 
self-sacrifice that we are to be made perfect, 
then how necessary it is for us to do all in 
our power to be like Christ ! — not to follow 
the road of sin and pleasure any longer, if we 

4 



38 Changing the Crosses 

are now on that road ; but give it up, and set 
out for heaven, — that beautiful home, where 
sorrows and trials are unknown, and all shall 
whisper peace forever. 

Oh, try to endure life's vicissitudes with the 
meekness of a Saviour's love ! He knew what 
it was to empty the bitter cup of affliction, 
and He knew how to sympathize w^ith us, in 
having to take up our cross daily, as He said 
we must in order to follow Him. And we 
read of Christ teaching the rich man, in St. 
Mark, x. 17-21, who came to ask of Him 
what he should do to inherit eternal life. 
Note the answer that Christ gave the rich 
man ! '' Thou knowest the commandments. 
Do not commit adultery. Do not kill, Do not 
steal, Do not bear false witness. Defraud not, 
Honor thy father and mother." To this the 
rich man answered, " Master, all these have 
I observed from my youth." Then Christ 
in particular said to him, '^ One thing thou 
lackest : go thy way, sell whatsoever thou 
hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have 



and Winning the Crown, 39 

treasure in heaven : and come, take up the 
cross and follow me." 

Just think of the sacrifice that is required 
of each one of us, in this life, as we journey 
along, often unconcerned of the steps we 
ought to take to go in the road that leads 
heavenward ! And, according to this teaching 
of the Master, we must admit that the road 
which the Christian pilgrim has to walk is 
a hard one; and before we become imbued 
with Christ's love in the heart, we must 
often feel like the rich man of old, and turn 
away grieved from such a thorny path, and 
rather seek another, and go to heaven our 
own way. But I ask the reader to think of 
these words of Christ, that "no one could 
come unto the Father except through Him," 
and consequently that none can inherit heaven, 
where God dwells, except through Him. How 
necessary, then, to begin to prepare in earnest 
to learn how to approach the Father through 
Christ! This cannot be accomplished by 
having a blind faith, which works no right- 



40 Changing the Crosses 

eousness ; but by unwavering faith in the 
promise that if we follow in the footsteps of 
the Master, as we are commanded to do, we 
shall come to the Father thereby. 

We have Christ's words in St. Matthew, vii 
21-24, '*Not every one that saith unto me, 
Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of 
heaven; but he that doeth the will of my 
Father, which is in heaven." 

It is impossible to think that we can com- 
prehend the Father, or do his will, except we 
are willing to be true followers of the Sa- 
viour's teaching. We have to come to Him, 
not in faith only, but in living examples, 
such as He has set forth to us through his 
exemplary life. Through this process com- 
mences a true Christian's pilgrimage on earth. 
And when we make up our minds to follow 
Christ, in keeping his words, and fulfilling his 
commandments, then the Father will love us, 
and Christ and the Father will come and 
make their abode with us. Thus we become 
one with them, as we read in St. John, xvii. 




and Winning the Crown, 41 

21, "That they all may be one; as thou, 
Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also 
may be one in us : that the world may believe 
that thou hast sent me." 

How delightful to think that there was one 
that was willing to suffer and die, that if we 
are willing to adopt his precepts we shall be 
saved ! Oh, that we may get that living faith 
that will cleanse our hearts from all evil and 
unbelief! believing that all things are possible 
to those that believe ; and as Christ assures 
us in St. John, xiv. 12, "He that believeth 
on me, the works that I do shall he do also ; 
and greater works than these shall he do ; 
because I go unto my Father." 

Let us commence to realize that we are 
placed here on earth, one generation after an- 
other, to work out the Lord's glorious 
teachings, until each one of us can crucify 
the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and 
the pride of the world, and in Christ's precepts 
dwell. 

Oh, let us pray for this holy baptism that 
4* 



42 Clianging the Crosses 

will make us pure within and without, so that 
wherever we go we may benefit others by the 
blessed influences proceeding from us, and we 
may go hand-in-hand with all that is heavenly 
and sublime ! 

May God help us to do his will on earth as 
it is done in heaven, for his own glory and 
for the benefit of each other, that we may be 
fully able to realize the meaning of these words 
in I. John, iv. 20, ''He that loveth not his 
brother whom he hath seen, how can he love 
God whom he hath not seen?" 



and Winning the Crown. 43 



CHAPTER III. 

There is a road that leads to God, — 
Love to humanity is its name ; 
It teaches us that no one can come 
Unto God without following 
In the Master's steps. 

\T 7E will now reflect a little concerning 
^ ^ this road, — how we are to follow Him, 
closer and closer, until He becomes our entire 
pattern, and we are so enrapt with his beautiful 
teachings, that his life becomes our life, and 
that the human love which beamed forth from 
his beautiful soul may be our portion. Oh, 
thou fount of God's love ! how thy soul was 
refreshed daily with the divine strength and 
healing balm of God's love ! It was because 
He was willing to do his Father's will ; and 
in so doing He became the recipient of all 
that was divine. 



44 Changing the Crosses 

Oh, that we all were more perfect, and could 
understand the sacredness of his mission and 
its bearing to us when He said, " I come to 
do my Father's will;" and that ''we are his 
friends if we do whatsoever He bids us !" Let 
us not pass this by, thinking we have nothing 
to do, and that He had only to come and do 
his Father's will, and so save us, while we do 
nothing for our own salvation. Remember, 
He says " we must follow in his footsteps." 
And, to follow after Christ, we certainly, one 
and all, have to carry out our Father's will, 
only with this difference, that He had the 
Father's image formed in his heart ; and we 
must walk after the pattern set before us by 
Him, till He can be formed in us, the hope of 
glory. The closer we live up to his precepts, 
the easier it will be for us to follow Him. 

Then, as we pass through the garden of 
sorrow, we shall be refreshed, as the woman 
of Samaria that accepted of the living water 
that Christ offered to her, as we read in 
John iv. that she met with Jesus when she 



and Winning the Crown, 45 

came to draw water from Jacob's well. Jesus 
being there, wearied with his journey, sat by 
the well, and saith unto her, "Give me to 
drink," and informed her, " whosoever drink- 
eth of this water shall thirst again. But who- 
soever drinketh of the water that I shall give 
him shall never thirst; but the water that I 
shall give him shall be in him a well of water 
springing up into everlasting life." " She saith 
unto him. Sir, give me this water that I thirst 
not." " Jesus saith unto her. Go and call thy 
husband, and come hither." She was desirous 
of having this living water which is the gift 
and power of the love of God in the soul, that 
purifies from all iniquity. 

We read in verses 8, 9, that she "left her 
water-pot and went away into the city, and 
saith to the men. Come, see a man which told 
me all things that ever I did: is this not the 
Christ?" She wanted to proclaim to them 
that she had found a pearl of great price from 
the depth of that pure, gushing fountain of 
love, which is Christ. 



46 Changing the Crosses 

Thus we shall find there will be many rest- 
ing-places where we can be refreshed from 
this fountain, and where we can sit down under 
the pleasant shade of Christ's love and the 
angels' wings. Oh, let us, while we rest in 
this garden, meditate on all that constitutes 
the blossoms of this garden ! 

The garden of Gethsemane was to our Sa- 
viour a cheerless place ; and, if we take up 
our cross daily, we cannot expect to escape 
our Gethsemane. But it is delightful to think 
that He had angels that ministered to Him in 
his lonely hours. No human being was there, 
according to record. So it is with us, dear 
reader. Often, when we pass through the 
garden of sorrow, we have no one to cheer us 
on the way. We do not often rneet with per- 
fect followers of Christ that minister to mor- 
tals and sympathize with them as Christ did, 
although He said, " Love one another, as I 
have loved you." 

In such a case it is well to realiz : the 



and Winning the Crown, 47 

blessed angels that are sent to minister unto 
us and hold us up in our ways. We can be 
sure of their presence, even if all earthly 
friends forsake us ; for if this was not a fact, 
God's words in many places in the holy 
Scriptures would be an untruth, together with 
human experience at the present time. 

May we be able to realize the King in his 
beauty, and how He comes, in his second 
coming, with his holy angels, to judge the 
world in righteousness ! And, with the help 
of the Father, and all the holy angels that are 
sent, may we comprehend their mission and 
the glorious testimony of Christ, to which 
they bear witness ! May we be able to receive 
those glorious messengers, and to feel it a 
sacred delight to be favored with their visits 
of redeeming love; for Christ is coming in 
the clouds of our understanding with those 
that are sent to judge the world ! Those 
messengers, when they come, teach us to 
pray and how to follow in the Master's foot- 
steps. 



48 Changing the Crosses 

Now, it appears, since Christ suffered, that 
most people think that they have nothing to 
observe as followers of Christ and worshipers 
of God but to keep the Sabbath, attend 
church, and, perhaps, listen to a good or a bad 
sermon, as they may fancy it to be ; thinking 
after that they have nothing else to do for 
God, for themselves, or their neighbors, be- 
cause Christ has done all for them ; and that 
all we have to do is to believe this with stead- 
fast faith and all shall be right. This is as far 
as religion is practiced in these days, with few 
exceptions. 

What are we to do in this case ? some 
w^ould say. Dear reader, to commence to live 
a religion such as the Master Jesus Christ 
hath set forth in his doctrine, we must, first 
of all, accept the law, which is the new com- 
mandment that He gave to his disciples: *'A 
new commandment I give unto you, that you 
love one another, as I have loved you." St. 
John, xiii. 34. 

It seems that what Christ tried to do through 



and Winning the Crown. 49 

his beautiful teachings and exemplary life, was 
to impress on the minds of the people that 
all the coming generations should be blessed 
by adopting his precepts. He knew that un- 
less this commandment was lived out, we could 
not be like Him. He was the new covenant 
through whom we all have to enter to become 
endowed with the power of his love to enable 
us to keep that new commandment. 

Let us see what we have to do to carry it 
out. It certainly cannot be done by a faith 
that docs not work love ; for if such a faith 
can free us from sin, and induce us to do such 
deeds as He commands us to perform (Matt. 
XXV.), namely, *' To feed, clothe, and comfort our 
neighbor in sickness," bereavement, and despair 
with that same love as He had, then it would 
be a different world to what it is at present. 

Now, to begin with, whether we profess or 
do not profess to be Christians, it is time that 
all of us both profess and possess this pure 
and undefiled religion, — the only one He ever 
introduced, — which follows, as a matter of 
5 



50 Cliangiiig the Crosses 

course, after the new commandment has been 
adopted ; and that is, " To visit the fatherless 
and widows in their afflictions, and to keep 
ourselves unspotted from the world." This is 
what is called pure religion. James, i. 27. 

Now, let us see if that corresponds with 
the religion of the present day ; whether that 
glorious command of our Saviour has become 
a law in every one's heart that professes to be 
a follower of Christ, his, and the Apostles' 
teachings. We read in I. John, iii. 17, ''That 
whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his 
brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels 
of compassion from him, how dwelleth the 
love of God in him ?" 

How many are followers of Christ, if we 
judge them by these sayings? By -this we see 
we must not love in words, but in deed and in 
truth. James teaches, in ii. 26, '' For as the 
body without the spirit is- dead, so faith with- 
out works is dead also." 

If we seek in the blessed Word of God for 



J 



and Winning the Crown, 51 

the record of those that every Christian creed 
hangs upon for instruction, let us commence 
to seek right, and for the right things, that we 
may be profited unto salvation. We shall then 
find that the blessed Word teaches different 
things from what is practiced at the present 
day by the professed followers of Christ. No 
one is willing to drink the bitter cup that He 
drank, although He declares that we must 
drink of the same cup and be baptized with 
the same baptism wherewith He was baptized 
before we can enter into his Father's kingdom. 

How many professed Christians believe 
this ? We all like too well to carry the 
flowery crosses whose fragrance delights the 
senses with intoxicating odor. Oh, this is what 
professors of religion, and others, most like to 
carry, instead of the cross of Christ, which we 
must carry in order to follow in his footsteps ! 

As we take up the^cajoss of Christ, 
And follow in his steps, 
The flowery cross to us 
Will cease to be a delight. 



52 Changing the Crosses 

Dear reader, we must have an experience 
of those words before we can realize them in 
our hearts. We cannot be Christians until 
their fulfillment is accomplished in our life. 
It seems while we carry the flowery crosses, 
serving the world with heart and soul, and 
laying up treasures on earth, instead of in 
heaven, that the cross of Christ is, to the car- 
nal mind, a heavy burden, — that is, while we 
seek to lay up treasures on earth ; and we see 
no beauty in the cross, only as a heavy bur- 
den. Some of us know from experience that 
those feelings are realities, and will be so while 
the human heart is unregenerated. 

But as soon as we commence to see the 
beauty of Christ's divine love and sacrifices 
for humanity, and begin to realize his beauti- 
ful mission in its true light, feeling that we 
cannot be a partaker of his love and affection 
in our hearts while we stand isolated and 
alone, — dead, as it were, in trespasses and sins, 
and absolutely dead to all that is of a quick- 
ening and a life-giving power: as long as 



and Winning the Crown. 53 

this is the case with us, and we cannot com- 
prehend the beautiful character of Christ so 
as to have a desire to blend with Him, so long 
we are carnally dead, and can have no fellow- 
ship with Him. 

He said, if we love Him we should keep 
his commandments. Now, to serve and love 
Christ, we must fall in love with the cross 
that He wishes us to carry. He knew that 
we could not be cross-bearers of the cross 
He offers as long as we have chosen the cross 
that belongs to this world's enjoyments. 

We never shall be able to exchange crosses 
with our Saviour until we make up our minds 
first that it is necessary to take all things that 
the flowery cross consists of and go to Him 
and lay it down at his feet, and make a burial 
there, and resolve that if we have to sacrifice 
everything that we ever loved that belongs to 
this world, we will make a sacrifice, and profit 
thereby. As St. Paul says in H. Cor. iv. 17, 
*'For our light affliction which is but for a 

5* 



54 Changing the Crosses 

moment worketh for us a far more exceeding 
and eternal weight of glory." 

Now, if we reflect for a moment that we 
must be willing to become cross-bearers with 
Christ, so that we desire nothing higher than 
to be in his company, we must go hand in 
hand in this human redemption ; for as He 
said He was the way, then most certainly we 
have to follow in that way. No one. He said, 
shall walk in darkness, if they keep in the 
way that He has shown us through his ex- 
amples ; neither shall we go astray, but follow 
wheresoever He goeth. 

My dear reader, it is impossible for mortals 
to carry the cross of Christ alone: we must 
have power from on high to help us on our 
pilgrimage. May God help us all ; and may 
we be willing to do all in our power to assist 
each other to carry our crosses ! Now, if we 
could only be the servant in whom God was 
well pleased ; but to be acceptable to God, we 
have to sacrifice everj^thing, and be willing 
to do and suffer anything, and thus fulfill 



and Winning the Crown, . 55 

the law of Christ. We are to be endowed 
with power from on high, so as to be able to 
carry out the principles of Christ. And He 
said, "As many as would He gave the power 
to become the sons of God." 

May the Holy Spirit enlighten us what to 
do to serve God ! O Father, thou that knowest 
the struggles of mortals, help us to endure ! 
We are left here on earth to work out our 
own salvation, and only as we can endure 
faithfully unto the end can we realize the ben- 
efit of bearing the cross. Christ carried his 
cross daily, and we must remember his love 
and forbearance, realizing, while we carry our 
crosses, that we must be willing to do as He 
did, — to suffer anything for righteousness' 
sake. We must live a life to the glory of 
God, through kind deeds of charity and be- 
nevolence to humanity, thus feeling that we 
have a high priest who is acquainted with all 
our infirmities, — that suffered like unto our 
own suffering. 



56 Changing the Crosses 

O thou who seest mortals, have mercy upon 
us all, and help us to carry our crosses; and 
when we seem to faint under the burden 
^nd peculiar trials that we have to pass 
through, may we have strength to endure to 
the end ! Help us, O God ! and to thee shall 
be the glory for ever and ever. Amen. 



and Winning the Crown. 57 



CHAPTER IV. 

Through sorrow often we become 
Initiated into heaven's throng; 
And only as we can appreciate 
Their teachings, can we realize 
The healing balm of heaven. 

^ I ^HUS, my dear reader, we will reflect on 
^ the garden of sorrow, and how many 
weary steps the tired pilgrims have to tread 
before they can reach the desired heaven. We 
must, as the Word teaches, take up the cross 
daily, not desiring to lay it down, but carry it 
faithfully to the end. How hard it is in youth 
and old age to have to carry the cross ! But 
it seems the cross was made to carry, — no 
cross, no crown ; and it is impossible that we 
could arrive at the beautiful garden of Para- 
dise without first being acquainted with the 
garden of sorrow, where we have to pass 



58 Changing the Crosses 

through the different walks, and by the way 
would like to stoop down and pluck some 
beautiful flowers, almost forgetting that in sor- 
row's garden thorns and thistles only grow. 
No beautiful statues are there among the 
bitter plants ; but the cross is there, and on it 
is written, " Remember, I have carried the 
cross before you, and follow in my footsteps." 

This is the token of lowly Jesus. May we 
be meek and lowly as He was! And as He 
said of little children, " Suffer them to come 
unto me ;" and also, in other words, " Except 
ye become as little children, ye shall in no 
wise enter the kingdom of heaven," may God 
help us all to realize what belongs to our 
peace, that we may be able to be called his 
chosen in life, in death, and through all 
eternity ! 

May the fiery trials which we have to pass 
through prove beneficial to us as we work 
out our own salvation ; and the Holy Com- 



and Winning the Crown, 59 

forter that is sent to watch over us, and to lead 
and guide us, have occasion to say to each 
one of us, *^ This is my beloved child, in whom 
I am well pleased !" And may this be our 
watchword, — " God to glorify and humanity 
to bless and serve !'' realizing that it is a de- 
light to serve God, in fulfilling the command 
to love one another, and to have that " royal 
law" written in our hearts, that we be not like 
those that it speaks of in James, ii. 8, 15, 16, 
" If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute 
of daily food, and one of you say unto them. 
Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled ; 
notwithstanding ye give them riot those things 
which are needful to the body ; what doth it 
profit ?" Even so, dear readers ; our faith, if 
it has not works of this kind mentioned, is 
dead, being alone. 

Let us closely examine these matters, and 
learn how necessary it is for us to serve God, 
through loving each other with a motherly 
love, and to feel that we minister a mother's 
love when we try to do all we can for each 



6o Changing the Crosses 

other la temporal and spiritual wants, as in 
Matthew, xxv., that those on the right hand, 
which are permitted to inherit the kingdom 
of heaven, are those " that have clothed the 
naked, given food to the hungry, drink to the 
thirsty, lodging to the stranger, and visited 
the sick and the imprisoned." 

O thou Father, that beholdeth earth with 
thy all-seeing eye, watch over us poor, mis- 
erable sinners, that each and all may so live 
and act that we may hear that voice daily, 
" Good and faithful servant, enter thou into 
the joys of thy Lord." 

Here Christ says that this welcome belongs 
to those that have performed all these things 
just mentioned ; and to those on the left hand, 
that had not performed these loving deeds to 
the needy, '' The King shall say unto them. 
Depart from me ye cursed." Then those on 
the left hand that could not come into the 
kingdom, said unto the Lord, ** Lord, when 
saw we thee hungry, and gave thee no food; 
thirsty, and gave thee no drink ; naked, and 



and Winning the Crown, 6i 

clothed thee not ; sick, and visited thee not ; 
in prison, and ministered not unto thee?" 
Then shall He answer them, "Verily I say 
unto you, Inasmuch as ye have not done it 
unto one of the least of these, ye did it not to 
me.'' *^ And these shall go away into ever- 
lasting punishment, but the righteous into life 
eternal." 

If we reflect upon this in its true light, then 
we shall find that a love to the neighbor that 
has no sacrifice in it, nor any practical bear- 
ing, availeth nothing in the sight of God and 
his holy angels when they come to judge the 
world ; because He says what we had done 
to one of the least of these, we had done it 
unto God. 

Dear reader, let us meditate for a moment 
on the following remarks : If the Lord Jesus 
Christ should walk the earth to-day, as of old, 
the enlightened Christians and others would 
do anything to entertain Him. If He needed 
6 



62 Changing the Crosses 

food, how many would try to be the first one 
that could have that worthy office to minister 
to Him ! Food of the best kind that could 
ever be prepared would be offered unto Him; 
and, if he needed drink, likewise the finest 
and the most refreshing w^ould be given to 
Him to allay his thirst with as He would be 
weary by the wayside. And if He needed 
lodging, how^ many would hasten to prepare 
the best guest-chamber for his reception ! All 
this attention, because it was Jesus ; and they 
would crowd in groups everywhere to see 
who would be the happy one to entertain 
Him, and to be honored w^ith his presence. 
And if He was sick, oh, how they would watch 
over Him, night and day, with a mother's, 
brother's, and a sister's care, trying to be in 
his favor, because it was Jesus ! 

But oh, reader, stop right here with me, 
and, for the sake of our own salvation, let us 
consider what we are doing, and what are our 
thoughts on this subject ! Let us not forget 



and Winning the Crown. 63 



that we are to be judged according to the 
entertainments that we have bestowed on hu- 
manity's suffering ones, and that we are enter- 
taining the Lord Jesus Christ when we enter- 
tain the suffering children of earth that stand 
in need of all these things, and are unable to 
procure the necessaries of life. Let us see 
to it in time, that we be not those on the left 
hand, that must depart because we have not 
given heed to those words that were spoken 
by the Lord while He was on the earth. This 
is what we must try to look into. Search the 
Scriptures on those points, as they have great 
bearing on our salvation. 

Hoping that we may be able so to live and 
act, each one of us, that when the brother of 
low degree comes into our presence we may 
not scorn him because it is his lot to be poor, 
or because he has to work for his bread, 
having, perhaps, nothing but a morsel and a 
scanty lodging for all his toils, and frequently 
unable to obtain work to sustain life, while 
others roll in luxury and joy of every kind. 



64 Chajtging the Crosses 

unconcerned about the poor who, often for the 
want of proper employment fall into divers 
sins when all other sources fail for the sus- 
tenance of life ; so they at last go down and 
downward until the grave receives the suffer- 
ing body of destitution, and they leave a 
memory on earth of shame to themselves and 
others. Thus eternity has to witness the re- 
surrection of fallen man; and, instead of joy 
among the angels in heaven over those that 
should be brought home to the fold, there is 
lamentation. 

This is truth ; no fiction ! We are account- 
able, in a measure, for our neighbor's sins, in 
neglecting to study his welfare, and to do as 
Christ taught, " love one another as I have 
loved you." May God help us to fulfill the 
new command that Christ gave unto us, " to 
love one another ;'' and not like some, unwill- 
ing even to look upon our brother's miserable 
abode, his poor morsel, scanty clothing, and 
often the sick couch, without any one to give 
him a drop of water ! But let us hasten, while 



and Winning the Crown, 65 

there yet is time, to prepare to go to all these 
miserable abodes, to seek and rescue those 
which need our care and consolation ; and in 
thus doing our duty we shall hear the loved 
voice of the Saviour say, " Come, ye blessed 
of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared 
for you from the foundation of the world." 
Matt. XXV. 

This is what will greet our ear, beloved fel- 
low-traveler with me to the celestial city of 
peace, if we fulfill our blessed Master's com- 
mand ; and then in rapturous delight we shall 
sing and adore that God that loved us so that 
He sent his son into the world, that whoso- 
ever believed his sayings should have eternal 
life. 

6* 



66 Changing the Crosses. 



CHAPTER V. 

If we faithfully carry the cross, 
We shall wear the crown ; 
If not willing to bear the cross, 
We cannot wear the crown. 

^T 7E find in the sacred words of Christ, 
^ ^ that He said, " Be faithful unto death, 
and I will give to thee the crown of life." 
Now, this promise was only made to those 
that could faithfully carry out his sayings, and 
have such faith as He said we should have. 
May we get our understanding more enlight- 
ened regarding this faith that we ought to 
have in Christ, that we may comprehend more 
fully the new commandment that He gave 
unto us ! This command includes more than 
faith. Heaven and earth bear witness to this 
command, and only as we are faithful to his 
teachings can we claim his promises. 



and Winning the Crown. 67 

Christ said, ^' Suffer little children to come 
unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is 
the kingdom of heaven." Let us examine this 
teaching, and see what it means ; not baptism 
of infants, as some would suppose. No, it 
means just what He said in the following 
words : " Except ye become as little children, 
ye shall in no wise enter the kingdom of 
heaven." Let us commence, dear reader, to 
see what Christ commanded us to be, to fit us 
for the kingdom of heaven. 

We have, first of all, to be spiritually born, 
— unfolded in wisdom and understanding, — so 
as to be acquainted with the laws of that king- 
dom that governs our inner being. It is ne- 
cessary that we should look at our own stand- 
point, that we may be able to see where we 
stand, and to realize our need of a change of 
heart, and get a heart that will be free from 
sin and error, before we can become as little 
children, and be born of the spirit, which 
every one must be, before they can be fit sub- 
jects for that kingdom. 



68 Changing the Crosses 

And, to enter into this new birth, we must, 
as St. Paul said, '^ bury the natural man, and 
die daily to self, to sin, to the lust of the eye, 
the pride of the flesh, and all that is vexatious 
to the spirit," and that can make it unfit to be 
born of the spirit of God ; and to give up all 
that the natural man loves, with all the pleas- 
ures of this world's corruptive influence, and, 
instead, love all that is sublime and beautiful, 
and of a heavenly character, seeking only the 
glory of God, — which is to fulfill his com- 
mand ; and to have " that faith that worketh 
righteousness,'' remembering that Christ said 
"we shall be judged according to our works ; 
and that each man's work shall be tried as 
with fire, that it may be seen of what sort 
it is." 

May we all be able to lay more weight 
on the commands of Christ than upon a faith 
that has in it no substance of love ! We 
must learn to know for ourselves, as another 
person could not be born of the spirit for 
you or me, any more than you could exist 



and Winning the Crown, 69 

through another person's natural birth without 
being born a natural mortal yourself. 

Now, this faith, preaching and believing, 
without its accompanying power of the holy 
spirit, the teacher that is to come and teach 
us in all things, cannot avail anything. When 
we have a desire to have our spiritual nature 
cultivated, that is, to love to have precious 
plants of a heavenly quality growing in our 
hearts, then the holy spirit — the spirit of truth 
— can find lodgment, and sow such seed as 
will produce fruit a hundred-fold. 

It is impossible that this precious fruit can 
be produced while our hearts are in a condi- 
tion not to receive any spiritual truth separate 
from a dead faith, which only teaches that 
Christ died, and did all for us. This faith is 
contrary to his teachings, and can only be 
called a delusion and an error, which will sink 
the whole human race deeper and deeper in 
ignorance, and forgetting the faith that Christ 
spoke of that we should have in Him, which 
was, that we should do the same works that 



yo Changing the Crosses 

He did, and greater works than He did should 
we do (St. John, xiv. 12), because He went to 
the Father. 

Now, He was born of this spirit, and He 
knew that we had to be like Him before we 
could be acquainted with the laws and liberties 
of that kingdom. Christ said it was necessary 
for Him to go ; for if He did not go away, the 
Comforter could not come unto us. And He 
said, " If I depart, I will send Him unto you ; 
and when He is come He will reprove the 
world of sin, . . . because they believed not on 
me." " Of righteousness, because I go to 
my Father; and of judgment, because the 
Prince of this world is judged." John, xvi. 
7-13. That is the evil of the natural man's 
unregenerated heart that is to he judged by 
this Comforter, — the spirit of truth, — that is 
sent to judge, teach, and guide into all truth. 

It is necessary for us to commence to reflect 
in earnest, that we may see that we have some- 
thing to do to regenerate our own hearts from 
sin and error, and not to think that all is done 



and Winiiing the Crown, yi 

for us through Christ, and there is nothing to 
be done on our part only to hve and be merry, 
— to speak and preach of this saving faith, 
which is only obtained by believing that Christ 
suffered to save us, and then we can enter into 
heaven. 

Dear reader, where do we find the new 
birth, — the birth of the spirit, — in this dead 
faith ? No, those who are born of the spirit 
of Christ live in the spirit. It has become 
their element; like the fish in the water, it 
lives and breathes only in its own atmosphere. 
So it is with us ; when we become " new crea- 
tures'' we live in the atmosphere of -heaven's 
delight. All seems new to us. There is a 
new heaven and a new earth in the soul. Je- 
sus knew that it had to be so, — a new creature 
of love to God and love to man ; and old self 
must pass away, and the new-born creature 
must be guided by the spirit of truth. This 
is the *' new birth," — the seed of the word of 
truth that has taken root. It does not matter 



72 Changi7ig the Q'osses 

how it was ministered, or in what form it was 
received, if it was a Hving truth that fell in 
living ground. God prepared soil, that in 
spite of the enemy's sowing his tares, it will 
spring up and bear fruit ; and, on account of 
its purity, will bear golden grain, fit for the 
harvest of the kingdom of heaven. Each one 
of us must be the reaper that brings in the 
good seed that has sprung up. After it has 
brought forth, we can feel the vibrating power 
of the love of God in the soul. 

Let us see, dear reader, what the golden 
grain consists of First, the seed of truth must 
be sowed in good ground. That is the heart 
prepared for the reception of the true seed ; 
and to be willing to have a new heart changed 
into the delights of heaven, giving up all that 
has to be rooted up, which is sin and igno- 
rance. Christ said, '' Every plant which my 
heavenly Father has not planted, shall be 
rooted up." Matthew, xv. 13 ; and in St. John, 
XV. 2, we read, '' Every branch in me that 
beareth not fruit He taketh away ; and every 



and Winning the Crown, 73 

branch that beareth fruit He purgeth it, that 
it may bring forth more fruit." 

That shows us that it is only those plants 
that will bear fruit, or, in other words, can 
produce fruit, that our Father cares about 
spending any labor on, according to Christ's 
words. 

All these plants referred to that must be 
pulled up by the roots, are the sins and ini- 
quity of the human heart. A bad soil pro- 
duces bad fruit. When the heart is in a fit 
state to receive the seed of the kingdom, then 
it will produce fruit; that as Christ said, "I 
am the vine, and ye are the branches. He 
that abideth in me, and I in him, the same 
bringeth forth much fruit." John, xv. 5. And 
then He says in verse 8, " Herein is my Father 
glorified, that ye bear much fruit." We learn 
by this that by a dead faith this fruit cannot 
be brought forth ; but by living works. And 
in Malachi, iii. 10, "Bring ye all the tithes into 
the storehouse, that there may be meat in 
7 



74 Changing the Crosses 

mine house, and prove me now herewith, said 
the Lord of hosts, if I will not open unto you 
the windows of heaven, and pour you out a 
blessing that there shall not be room enough 
to receive it." 

My dear friends, we are to be co-laborers 
together in the great field of humanity ; and 
that can only be brought about as we are first 
willing to set our own house in order before 
we commence with others. And when we 
feel the growth of this heavenly seed that has 
taken root in our heart, springing up and 
bearing fruit, then this glorious fruit is to feed 
others with ; and our hearts are the garden 
that this fruit grew and ripened in. And as it 
drops its heavenly fruitage, the nations will 
eat and be satisfied, because it is truth. And 
so we will send out truth after truth, until the 
whole earth shall be filled with the glorious 
harvest of the kingdom which is to regenerate 
every human being. Yes, we must transplant 
from one to another, and thus see that the 
seed of truth can be sent abroad to every 



and Winning the Crown. 75 

human soul, the Hfe-giving seed of the king- 
dom. 

And when this is sowed, it speaks of human 
love. Christ said, " As I have loved you, so 
you love one another." And, '*as the Father 
has sent me, so I send you ; and ye abide 
in my love." Now, we learn by this, that we 
are commanded to have the same intense love 
for each other that He had, and then to go 
with this message He was sent to bear. He was 
the living, practical example in whose mouth 
was no guile. We cannot possibly say we do 
not know how to follow Him, because we read 
through the blessed record that He tells us to 
" search the Scriptures," to learn how to fulfill 
his Father s will. He said He was sent for 
that purpose. He never said He sent Him- 
self, but that He was sent to show us the way 
and how to walk in his footsteps. 

Let us not think that that human love 
which He practiced in his exemplary life 
ceased there with the finishing of his mission. 
No, far from that ; but on account of misun- 



y(> Changing the Crosses 

derstanding his mission, the world is becoming 
worse, because many think they had Christ to 
do all for them in fulfilling his mission, and 
think that they have no duties to perform either 
to God or man. The most advisable thing we 
can do is to commence in earnest to lay hold 
on the things belonging to our salvation, and 
remember the words written in Phil. ii. 12, that 
we have to work out our own salvation with 
fear and trembling, and begin to realize that 
we are placed here on earth as accountable 
beings. It is impossible to be followers of 
Christ without having responsibilities ; for 
there is a responsibility in the very command 
— " Take up the cross and follow Him daily.'* 
Thus fulfilling your duty faithfully; and, 
instead of being those servants who thought 
they had Christ to do all for them and taken 
their sins upon Him, they still continuing in 
their sins ; so that whatever they did, it was 
an Almighty atoner that suffered for their 
transgressions. Christ never introduced such 
a doctrine. He said, " If ye love me, keep my 



and Winning the Crown. yy 

commandments. He it is that loveth me that 
keepeth my sayings." 

Jesus said, " If a man love me he will keep 
my words ; and my Father will love him, and 
we will come unto him. And he that loveth 
me not, keepeth not my sayings; and the word 
which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's, 
which sendeth me." John, xiv. 23, 24. 

May God show us our duties, that we may 
be able to see the King in his beauty, and be 
like a holy army that has set out for the holy 
city of peace, whose portals those inhabitants 
have entered, that followed the Master where- 
soever he went! May the great King en- 
lighten each one how to find the holy city, — 
the New Jerusalem that is coming down from 
heaven as a bride adorned for the bridegroom ! 
And may the peace of that holy city, whose 
builder and maker is God, overshadow us with 
the holy spirit, that we may get our under- 
standing enlightened, and behold the King in 
his glory, as he descends with his holy angels, 
teaching us lessons of redeeming love ! 

7* 



^8 Changing the Crosses 



CHAPTER VI. 

My cross I will carry, though foes me beset, 

The crown I shall gain if faithful I can prove ; 

Then in rapturous delight with angels bright 

We shall hail each weary pilgrim 

That their crosses hath laid down, 

And exchanged them for the immortal crown. 

This crown is for those 
That the hungry have fed 
And the naked have clothed ; 
That have visited the sick, 
And the stranger lodged, 
And ministered to the prisoners 
I^ove's comforting words. 

Showing forth to the world 
That Christ in his commands 
Bids us go to the lowly, the 
Forsaken, and to sinners 
He called ; and only as we " 
Like Him will be to the prisoner's 
Cell, and the afflicted, we will go. 

That the religion of Christ 
May be felt on the earth, 
That whatever we do 
To one of the least of these. 
We do it unto God. 



and Winning the Crown, 79 

/^^F those elements the wedding garment 
^^ must be made. The pure and undefiled 
religion must be practiced amongst the mor- 
tals of earth, which is ** to visit the fatherless 
and the widow in their affliction, and to keep 
ourselves unspotted from the world/' 

That we may not be like the five foolish vir- 
gins, which we read of in Matth. xxv., that 
had not prepared oil in their lamps, and ex- 
pected to meet the bridegroom. " And at night 
there was a cry made. Behold, the bridegroom 
Cometh ; go ye out to meet him." And the 
five wise virgins had their lamps trimmed, and 
burning with divine love, and were ready to 
meet the bridegroom, and to go in unto the 
marriage. And the door was shut. But the 
five foolish had to tarry behind, because their 
lamps would not burn, on account of not hav- 
ing any oil. So they had to go and buy oil ; 
and after they also came, and wanted to come 
in, and said, ** Lord, open unto us.'* But He 
said, *' Verily I say unto you, I know you not." 
And they could not come into the marriage 



8o Changmg the Crosses 

supper. Read Matt. xxv. Here we have the 
two representatives of the ten virgins. The 
five foolish are those that have faith, but do 
not follow his commands ; and the five wise, 
that prepared for his coming, are they that 
have faith with works. 

Again, w^e read in Matt. xxii. ii,"When 
the king came in to see the guests that w^ere 
assembled at the marriage feast, he saw there 
a man which had not on a wedding garment ; 
and he said unto him. Friend, how comest 
thou in hither, not having a wedding garment? 
And he was speechless from surprise at these 
words of the king ; and it was commanded to 
take him out and cast him into utter dark- 
ness." 

Let us take in consideration that we cannot, 
according to God's Word, enter heaven with- 
out having on the wedding garment. Some 
would say to this. How are we to prepare for 
it? By fulfilling what we have already written, 
— to be able to love others as ourselves ; not 
thinking that we can have the garment of sin, 



and Wimting the Crown, 8i 

scorn, selfishness, and yet enter in through the 
door that leadeth into the marriage supper. 
No, we must abandon sin and selfishness, as 
they are hinderances. 

We must first put away all unrighteousness, 
and make our hearts a marriage altar, where 
we desire to live unto God and the neighbor; 
to be pure and holy in heart, and to feel that 
Christ and the holy angels help us if we are 
willing to prepare for this. He has said, " No 
one can come unto the Father but through 
me." " I am the door." Now, to be initiated 
into " the heavenly marriage," and have Christ 
for our bridegroom, it is necessary, to be a 
complete marriage, that there should be unity. 
The natural marriage is never complete with- 
out harmony and unity. Then, first, it is a 
foretaste of heaven on earth. And so it is 
with our unity in Christ, — we must be in unity 
with Him in all that pertains to his sacrificing 
love to be his bride. 

He said, *' Seek me while ye can find me." 



82 Changing the Crosses 

'' I am the light of the world." And if we do 
his will He and the Father will come and take 
up their abode in our hearts. May God help 
us all to realize the true state we have to be 
in ! For, to have the Father and the Son 
take up their abode with us, the heart must 
certainly be a fit temple for the Holy Spirit, — 
the spirit of peace and wisdom, that will lead 
us in all things. 

Now, we cannot serve two masters at one 
time. We must give up the one and serve 
the other, — God or Mammon, — whichever we 
will choose. And if we will serve God, we 
must fulfill his command, in doing as we are 
taught, through Christ's teaching.^ We can- 
not possibly please God, or have a clear con- 
science, unless we observe that which He 
wishes us to do. Christ said, "Ye are my 
disciples if ye do whatsoever ye are com- 
manded to do for each other." And He 
teaches us, in Matt. vii. 12, "Therefore all 
things whatsoever ye would that men should 
do to you, do ye even so to them : for this is 



and Winning the Crown, 83 

the law and the prophets/' '' And to fulfill the 
whole law which is fulfilled in one word, thou 
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself Gal. v. 14. 
This is the law and the testimony that Christ 
gave unto us. Search the Scripture for these 
things, and we shall gain light to our under- 
standing. 

We need a religion of love, — not to serve 
God only by church-going, but in human acts 
of love, kindness, and fellowship in all that 
pertains to their earthly interest and salvation. 
We are to be saved by a faith that worketh 
love and charity to humanity's suffering ones. 
Let us remember, Christ has taught us, 
through his sacrificing life, that we must fol- 
low in his footsteps ; and as the body without 
the spirit is dead, so is faith without works 
dead also. James, ii. Oh, let us give more 
earnest heed to those things, in order to com- 
mence to be practical Christians, and fulfill 
his teachings, and live out *^the royal law," 
according to the Scriptures, " in loving our 
neighbor as ourselves ;" and as we strive to be 



84 Changing the Crosses 

citizens of heaven, may we learn that we must, 
while on earth, live under its law, which is 
love ! 

Heaven is full of love ; and multitudes of 
earth pray daily that God's will may be done 
on earth as it is in heaven. So we must fulfill 
''this royal law;" for that is the law of heaven, 
and of its Christ. 

May God open our understanding, that we 
may understand the Scripture ! This we are 
to pray for, that we may not walk in a faith 
without light, but may realize that Christ 
was that light that came and showed us the 
way, through his teachings of redeeming love; 
and as we read in Romans, viii. 9, 10, that " if 
any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is 
none of his.'' And only as we can be like Him 
can we expect to be united with Him, and 
have Him come and take up his abode in our 
hearts, and thus become the center of our 
affection. 

May we be able to realize what belongs to 



and Winning the Crown, 85 

our peace, and that we are here "to work out 
our own salvation ;" and it must be after the 
pattern of Christ as regards human love and 
sacrifice ! May the spirit of truth remain with 
us, and teach us how to purge sin and cor- 
ruption from our hearts, that we may abide 
solely in the teachings of the Master, that we 
may be benefited unto salvation, remembering 
that the Word teaches " that we are to pay to 
the uttermost farthing in all we do !'* 

How necessary, then, it is to watch over 
ourselves, not forgetting that we are account- 
able beings ! May the great God help us to 
be on our guard, and remember to look to 
Him in all our times of need ; and be able to 
have the whole armor on when we are to fight 
for the truth as it is in the Lord Jesus Christ, 
so as to enter without spot or blemish, having 
our garments pure and undefiled, and be the 
virgins that have the lamps filled with oil, so 
that if we are called at any time, morning, 
noon, or night, we will be ready to hear the 
8 



86 Changing the Crosses 

bridegroom's voice, *' Enter, ye blessed, into 
the kingdom of my Father !" 

Now, it is necessary so to hve that we can 
have heaven within ; and if we have heaven 
within while we live, we must surely have 
that which pertains to the Father, the Son, 
and the holy angels. This is what we must 
be conscious of in our hearts ; and to realize 
that God's laws are written there. Heb. viii. 
lo. And we shall then be able to walk in his 
statute. This must be the state of things to 
have the kingdom of heaven within. We can- 
not possibly know what it is to live with this 
heavenly kingdom in our hearts, or enter there 
after death, except we be acquainted with that 
kingdom, its inhabitants, its language, and its 
laws. We must be citizens of that kingdom 
by following out its laws while we live here 
on earth. 

May God, in his mercy, show us how to 
live, so that his laws can be written in our 
hearts, — his will be done on earth as it is done 
in heaven ! That is, if we make up our 



and Winning the Crown. 87 

minds to live Christ's life, we must realize 
that we are to blend with the spirit of 
Christ and the holy angels as they come to 
minister unto us. They have heaven in their 
hearts, and teach us in their sacred mission to 
die daily unto sin and put on Christ. And 
may we remember, no one "can see God 
without purity and holiness ;'' and He has 
ordained all for our temporal and spiritual 
wants, that we may be able to serve Him in 
spirit and in truth, if we are minded to study 
our eternal interest! 

Let us that do not yet fully realize the 
means sent to us for salvation, look to this 
more earnestly, and study the holy Scripture 
in a prayerful spirit, that we may get our un- 
derstanding enlightened on these points, and 
rfealize, that if we desire to worship God in 
spirit and in truth, we shall be led and guided 
by that holy ministration that is sent through 
his holy angels, leading us in the road we 
are to go to find the holy city of peace. 

May we be the ones that enter in through 



88 Changing the Crosses 

the door, which is Christ, not trying to climb 
over the fence some other way; but feehng that 
Christ is that way, and that we must be pre- 
pared to follow in his steps, and have Him for 
our constant pattern ; not to be like the man 
who thought he could be admitted as a wed- 
ding guest, but found, when he came in there, 
that he did not have on the wedding garment, 
and could not belong to that company, but 
rather like those we read of in Revelation, vii. 
14, "That had come out of great tribulations, 
purified their garments, and made them white in 
the blood of the Lamb," which is to be in unity 
with Christ and his sufferings and sacrifices of 
human love ! No completeness without unity ; 
we must be in that unity to be followers of 
Christ. This man did not know what it was 
to be a follower of Christ ; and he could not 
remain with those that belonged to that heav- 
enly marriage company. Had he heeded 
Christ's voice. He would have known him, 
and all would have been well with him. 
Christ said He was the shepherd, and " my 



and Wmniitg the Qyown, 89 

sheep hear my voice, and follow me." But 
this man listened not to the voice of our 
heavenly shepherd ; he did not know Christ, 
and had not adopted his teachings. 

How many, Christ said, should seek the 
way and not find it ! And how many are 
called, but how few are chosen, because they 
are not willing to carry their crosses, and walk 
in the way that Christ pointed out for them, 
in taking up the cross daily and following 
Him! 

O God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, 
help us to find the way that leadeth in through 
the straight gate to the celestial city, that we 
may be able to see the King in his beauty, 
and open the door of our hearts, that He can 
enter and take up his abode there, and shed 
abroad the heavenly marriage delights ! May 
we be able so to listen to his teachings that 
we can say that we live daily within the sanc- 
tuary of Christ, which is to blend in unison 
with his heart, to which the whole heavens 
pulsate in rapport, — till we become so enrapt 
8* 



90 Changing the Crosses 

in Him, and all that belongs to the fold of 
the Father, that the whole heaven encircles 
us daily ; feeling that it is delightful to serve 
God and do his will, in living for humanity, 
as Christ did, and so fulfill that faith that He 
said we should have, which was, that we 
should do the same works as He did, and 
greater works should we do than He did, be- 
cause He had to go to the Father ! That 
shows us that we were left to finish that which 
He commenced. " He finished his work," and 
by his example showed us that we had not to 
stop there ; but that we were to go on, as He 
said, *' Be ye perfect, even as your Father 
which is in heaven is perfect." Matt. v. 48. 

Great God, help us to lean more upon the 
teachings of the Bible! to investigate its pre- 
cious truth, — not to be satisfied .with a creed 
made by men, claiming a few sentiments only 
of the Bible as basis of their creed, and the 
rest is thought contrary to Christ's teachings ; 
and let us seek for ourselves, as Christ said, 
" Search the Scriptures ; they shall testify of 



and Winning the Crown, 91 

me." In observing the sayings of Christ, it 
gives us the privilege to grow in wisdom and 
understanding, and not to be narrowed down 
to some man's mind of the past or present, 
that formed creeds according to his standard 
of rehgious views of that time ; but may we 
reahze that we must be born anew of the 
spirit, and that there is a fruit of this spiritual 
birth ! When we are born anew of the spirit 
of God, we shall then be like, as Christ de- 
clares, '' a tree that beareth good fruit a hun- 
dred-fold." This is, as the Word teaches in 
Luke, viii.. Matt, vii., St. John, xv., the good 
seed that was sown in good ground, and 
sprang up and bore fruit to the glory of God. 
And, as Christ said, '' In this is my Father glo- 
rified, that ye bear much fruit." When we 
have such offerings to present to our heavenly 
Father, then first can we realize that we are 
the chosen disciples that follow Christ faith- 
fully, being, as we read in Phil. i. 11, "filled 
with the fruits of righteousness, which are by 
Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of 



92 Changing the Crosses 

God." And in Acts, x. 34, 35, '' That God is 
no respecter of persons ; but in every nation 
he that feareth Him, and worketh righteous- 
ness, is accepted with Him." '' For hereunto 
were ye called, because Christ also suffered 
for us, leaving us an example, that ye should 
follow his steps," I. Peter, ii. 21. 

May we all in time get the eyes of our spir- 
itual understanding open, that we may under- 
stand the Scripture, so as to be able to realize 
that we have something to do besides believ- 
ing, in order to be saved; not to read the 
Bible merely as a history of Christ, thinking 
by so doing that we have gained salvation, 
forgetting ourselves that we have a charge to 
keep, as we read in Phil. ii. 12, "to work out 
our own salvation with fear and trembling," 
after the pattern of Christ. 

Let us search the Scripture in earnest for 
these things, and we shall find that almost on 
every page it points us to a crucified Saviour, 
who wishes us to adopt his teachings of hu- 
miliation, love, and forbearance; and even 



and Winning the Crown, 93 

shows us, in his dying hours of agonizing 
suffering, that He was not in the least changed, 
but patiently endured in his human kindness 
and affection to the last, when He whispered 
forth in his dying moments, " Father, forgive 
them, for they know not what they do." Thus 
we have much to learn before we can be like 
that suffering Lamb. We find in his teachings 
(John, vii. 17), that "if any man will do God's 
w^ill, he shall know of the doctrine;" and that 
*'He would pray for us," under the peculiar 
trials which we have to pass through, " that 
our faith should not fail." 

He knew, when He uttered those last words 
of forgiveness for his enemies, that his earthly 
mission was drawing near to a close. If we 
reflect on that perfect example of human love 
and human suffering, we can understand that 
his whole life, from the beginning of his call- 
ing, was a life in obedience to his Father's 
will. He said, " I come not to do my own 
will, but the will of Him that sent me." John, 
vi. 38 ; and in xii. 26, " If any man serve me, 



94 Changmg the Crosses 

let him follow me; and where I am, there 
shall also my servant be; and him will my 
Father honor." '' And as I come to fulfill my 
Father's will, so ye fulfill my commands in 
loving each other as I have loved you." 

Now, this was the teaching of Jesus 
eighteen hundred and seventy-one years ago, 
while He was on earth ; and the same seemed 
to be his teaching after his death, on many 
occasions, when He appeared to his disciples. 
John, XX. 17, 21. The first person He appeared 
to was Mary, and requested her to go and say 
to his brethren, " I ascend unto my Father, 
and your Father ; and to my God, and your 
God ;" and the same day He appeared to his 
disciples, and said, " Peace be unto you ! As 
the Father hath sent me, even so I send you." 
So it seemed it was his only desire that we 
should fulfill our mission, as he had fulfilled 
his, He being the perfect example for us to 
go by. 

Now, if his teachings had been followed up 
since that time, and if the people had been in 



and Winning the Crown, 95 

a state to live a life of such sacrifice and hu- 
man love as He commanded, and which He 
set forth through his exemplary life, there 
would be a different state of things at present 
in the world and in the professed church of 
Christ. The whole world would be a glo-* 
rious church of Christ, where love and charity- 
would beam forth everywhere in loving deeds 
of sympathy and compassion for the afflicted, 
the destitute, the oppressed, and the down- 
trodden. Thus our religion would be to do 
unto others as to ourselves, for our neighbor's 
needs, both spiritual and temporal, are the 
same as our own. Christ was that church, 
and through his exemplary life He showed 
us the interior of that church ; so if we love to 
serve and worship in that church, we have to 
adopt his teachings, and follow in his steps 
daily. Then we worship our heavenly Father 
in spirit and in truth, as Christ did. He being 
the mediator of the new covenant between 
God and man. 

But, instead of this heavenly law of love 



96 Changing the Crosses 

lived out to each other, faith only in the Son 
of God has become prevalent on the earth, 
without that practical teaching that He showed 
forth in his life, and set forth in his doctrine. 
Now, '* He being the brightness of his glory, 
and the express image of his person, by 
his example He teaches us how we are to 
live pure and holy. He was full of charity 
and love for the oppressed, lifting the sinner 
that lay at his feet, saying, He did not con- 
demn her, but bade her go and sin no more. 

It is time that we commence to adopt his 
precepts of love and compassion to those that 
need our spiritual and temporal care, not think- 
ing that we can be perfect followers of the 
Master before we be imbued with the same 
love that He had in his heart for the oppressed 
and down-trodden. 

Let us reflect upon this in its true light, as 
it is one of the most important subjects which 
belong to us as reformers of the fallen human 
race. 

We will commence by saying, Begin to 



and Winning the Crown, 97 

prepare to meet the Bridegroom. He may call 
you in the night-watch to blend with his heart 
of loving compassion for this unfortunate class 
of both sexes; and, oh! will you then say to 
Him, Wait till a more convenient season, and 
I will call for thee ? Then, perhaps, it will be 
too late, and He whom you profess to follow 
has returned to those that are the chosen ones. 
The Word teaches many are called but few 
chosen. Let us strive to be the chosen ones 
that hear this midnight cry of the Bridegroom, 
and feel that we are to blend with the heavenly 
and the divine; and as we are called on this 
sacred mission, let us summon the people 
together, as a midnight cry, to redeem the 
forlorn and destitute, who then flock from 
their dens of intoxication and houses of in- 
famy. But stay, — let us reflect on this *^ mid- 
night call." Who has a sister, a brother, a 
child on this road that leadeth to destruction, 
and in the silent hour of midnight is seeking 
to find some victim of either sex, that they 
may entice to their miserable abode ? 
9 



98 Cluxnging the Crosses 

Oh, ye MINISTERS of the gospel! ye that 
are tlie leaders of th^Jlockl to you ^ to 07ie and 
all, is this midnight call Hear ye what the 
Saviour has said : " If ye love me keep my 
commandments, and teach men to do Hke- 
wise," not in words only. Christ said, " Not 
every one that saith unto me. Lord, Lord, 
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he 
that doeth the will of my Father which is in 
heaven.'' Let us closely examine this saying. 
It does not consist in preaching and hearing 
only, but in unwavering faith with practical 
works. Now, " faith without works is dead, 
being alone." So, then, if faith without works 
is dead, we must be up and doing; calling 
together the lost sheep, even though it should 
be at the midnight-watch. 

Oh, may all who profess to be livi^tg follow- 
ers of Christ be able to hear the Shepherd's 
voice, speaking to us as He did to Peter, 
" Lovest thou me ?" then " Feed my sheep !" 
The question was again repeated, Peter re- 
sponding, "Thou knowest all things. Thou 



and Winning the Crown, 99 

knowest that I love thee." To which the Lord 
answered, " Feed my sheep, feed my lambs." 
And when He had spoken this, He saith unto 
him, " Follow me." Let us follow this teach- 
ing of Peter, and not imitate his example 
when, at the midnight cock-crowing, he de- 
nied his Lord, saying, " I know not the man." 

Help us, O Lord, to realize what is required 
of us as professing Christians and followers of 
the Lamb of God! O thou great Shepherd 
and King of heaven and of earth, in whose 
hand is the scepter of power to rule all 
things, we pray thee to have patience with 
all the Peters who are not willing to take up 
the cross and follow Thee, if necessary, to 
the garden of Gethsemane, in prayer for the 
sin and destruction that covers this earth. 

O God, help us, or we perish in the midst 
of the harvest, and our lambs shall lack pas- 
ture! 

May we be able to lead them to living 



100 Changing the Crosses 

streams of purity and delight, where their 
weary and sinking spirit shall find repose on 
the bosom of some loving mother or sister, 
who will shelter those forlorn and destitute in 
their homes ! 

Mothers, husbands, brothers, and sisters, 
rescue the forlorn, the forsaken, that have 
none to shed the tear of sympathy over their 
fallen condition, or to hear their desolate an- 
guish, no one who cares for them, no one who 
heeds the Saviour's warning voice, " Feed 
my sheep.'* Oh, sisters and brothers in the 
Lord, be swift in your doings, for the Lord 
Cometh as a thief in the night, and who shall 
be ready to appear ? He calls you to prepare 
for the battle, for the great day of his wrath is 
come, and you cannot stand and meet the 
Bridegroom without the bridal robes. Ye are 
my beloved if ye do whatsoever I have com- 
manded you. '' I go to prepare a place for 
you, that where I am ye may be also." 

Follow me in the night-watches, follow me 
in the garden of sorrow, follow me in prayer 



and Winning the Crowjt, loi 

and love, — a bright crown shall adorn the brow 
of the faithful child that follows me. Oh, sleep 
not, watcher, but prepare for the sudden 
changes that shall come. Who shall be the 
virgins that shall be found wanting oil for their 
lamps ? Buy while it is day, that when the 
night Cometh ye may be able to meet the 
Bridegroom and hear his voice. He speaks 
to you in tender tones. Follow me to the 
garden of Paradise, where is the river of 
life, and in the midst the tree of knowledge, 
and its leaves are for the healing of the 
nations. 

Oh, take this healing balm, and carry it to 
every troubled breast. Tell them of the land 
of pure delight, where the weary and repentant 
child of earth shall be at rest for evermore. 

And let us, in prayer and thanksgiving, feel 
that it is a privilege to be commissioned to 
follow in the footsteps of the Master. May 
we be so enrapt in the redemption of fallen 
humanity that our highest desire shall be to 
9* 



102 Changmg the Crosses 

live for them as Christ did, and bring to them 
the nectar of prayer, that they may drink and 
feel it is a sweet balm, and a safeguard to 
their souls, to observe that which Christ 
taught, namely, to " Watch and pray, lest ye 
fall into temptation ;" and the day of God's 
grace will pass, and you will sink deeper and 
deeper into degradation and vice, till you are 
past redemption, and must belong to those 
that we read of in the Word, — the deceiver, 
the liar, and the adulterer. They are the ones 
that cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. May 
your hearts daily be lifted up to God, praying 
for guidance; and may we all be in a pure and 
holy state, and the holy angels that are sent 
to guard us on our pilgrimage, find our life 
blending with theirs in heavenly purity ; and 
instead of making victims of sin, may we try 
to rescue them from error, helping them to 
tread in the path of purity and virtue, remem- 
bering that it is our sisters and brothers of 
humanity, and that we only do our duty as 
we would that others should do unto us and 



and Winning the Crown, ^^ 103 

our dear ones, were they in the road of temp- 
tation, sin, and error ! 

A word of advice. Pilgrims on life's jour- 
ney, — you that profess to be followers of meek 
and lowly Jesus, and place yourselves, through 
the membership of some church, as an ex- 
ample to the world, — see to it, that you may 
not, through the example of your life, be a 
stumbling-block of shame and offense to 
the world, and be forced to hear this of 
yourselves and your professed brethren, as 
we often have to hear, ''If this or that one 
is a church-member, then I do not want to 
be one !" 

Let us be the ones that, through the mem- 
bership of the church, shall be examples of the 
Master to the world, that all may flock to us, 
desiring to learn of the teachings, that they 
also may be like unto ourselves. And thus 
we shall go hand-in-hand on the pilgrimage 
of life, walking in the road that leadeth heav- 
enward, and letting nothing be lost by the 
wayside ; but gathering up the broken sheaves 



104 Changing the Crosses 

and binding their wounds of sin and shame, 
by pouring the oil of heavenly joys into their 
souls, leading them as with a true mother's 
care, that they may be inmates of the heav- 
enly city. We shall then, while we are on 
life's pilgrimage, cause joy among the angels 
in heaven over sinners that have repented. 
And thus we shall go on, and on, being blessed 
daily, and blessing others, by the purity of our 
lives. 

This is to observe the teachings of Jesus, 
and to learn of Him how to become pure and 
holy, so as to be able to follow his precepts. 
And when the weary traveler is through with 
the pilgrimage of earth, we shall stand arrayed 
in the loveliness of Christ, for we have con- 
quered unto salvation ; and the fallen and des- 
titute that we found by the wayside, or in 
some lonely hut of suffering, has been bene- 
fited by the teachings of Christ's love, fulfilled 
in us, and made practical to each other. And 
in so doing, we can be the ones that are saved 
by faith, because we have believed in the 



and Winning the Crown, 105 

teachings of Christ, and been the sheep that 
knew his voice and followed Him daily. 

Now, if we have not Jesus that walks the 
earth to-day, as of old, we have that blessed 
assurance that He has been on the earth, to 
teach us how to live, that we may reach 
heaven. He knew what it was to be a true 
cross-bearer ; and He still sympathizes with 
us as we carry our crosses, if we are willing 
to come to terms with the saving means which 
is to work out our own salvation after the pat- 
tern of Christ's humiliation, love, forbearance, 
charity, purity ; feeling, if we have not Jesus' 
feet to lay down at, we have the foot of the 
cross, that He has told us to carry daily, if we 
love to follow Him. 

Beloved reader, we are, then, very near his 
feet, if we follow close in his footsteps. And 
further, He directs us to sell our riches, if we 
have any, " and give unto the poor," and so 
keep the commandments, — the two greatest, 
the first of which is "to love God with all our 
heart, soul, and mind," — that is, in thanking 



io6 Changing the Crosses 

Him for all we have ; in doing his will, — and 
the second is like unto it, " to love the neigh- 
bor as ourselves. On these two command- 
ments hang all the law and the prophets." 

And the new commandment, — the eleventh 
in order which He gave unto us, — " that we 
should love one another as He has loved us.'* 
John, xiii. 34. " Love worketh no ill to his 
neighbor ; therefore love is the fulfilling of the 
law," as we read in Romans, xiii. 10; Gal. v. 
14, " For all the law is fulfilled in one word, 
even in this : Thou shalt love thy neighbor 
as thyself;" and in H. John, ix., " Whosoever 
transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine 
of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in 
the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father 
and the Son." 

Dear reader, it is impossible to become an 
heir of the kingdom of heaven without this 
love in the heart ; for we must love and pro- 
mote each other's happiness, and become like 
little children in love, remembering that of 



and Winning the Croivn. 107 

such innocence and purity is the kingdom 
of heaven. We must be willing to be taught 
lessons of the redeeming love ; and after we 
realize that we have undergone daily purifica- 
tion in our hearts, we must think of our poor 
brother that travels with us on life's pilgrim- 
age to the city of peace, — to rescue him as he 
walks on the road that leads him away from 
the heavenly city. 

May we realize, in extending the hand of 
help to our brother, that we can be the means 
of rescuing him from error and wrongs, and 
remember that we are only sojourners here 
on earth for a time, and that this is not our 
abiding place ; and may we be able so to live 
while we are on this life's pilgrimage, as 
though we were like travelers who have set 
out for the celestial city, — the New Jerusalem, 
— and do all for each other that we possibly 
can ! If any are naked, give them clothing ; 
hungry, feed them ; and, if able to work, incite 
them to industry, and advance their interest ; 
and, if not understanding, but willing, to work, 



io8 Changing the Crosses 

teach them, and cultivate their genius and 
their minds, that they may fulfill the place in 
society that our heavenly Father intended they 
should have. 

And do as you would to your own dear 
ones, were they without work, or bread, or 
opportunities for a proper training of their 
faculties, and let the light of Christ's love 
shine forth daily in living acts, so that you be- 
long not to the class we read of in James, 
ii., that could not profit by faith only. It reads 
thus : " If a brother or sister be naked, and 
destitute of daily food, and one of you say to 
them. Depart in peace, be ye warmed and 
filled ; notwithstanding ye give him not those 
things which are needful to the body ; what 
doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not 
works, is dead, being alone." 

Let us take the writings of the Bible into 
consideration, and be willing to help each 
other while we are on the pilgrimage of earth; 
that we may be the good Samaritan, that had 
all possible concern for his fellow-brethren. 



and Winning the Crown, 109 

and did all for them that they needed in the 
time of want. And if we ourselves should 
be unable to procure comforts for the suffer- 
ing and destitute ones that come under our 
observation, let us call upon the rich, that have 
of this world's goods, and have them lend a 
helping hand, from love and charity to the 
neighbor ; remembering, if we give all, and 
have not charity, which is love in the heart 
for the neighbor, it availeth nothing to the 
giver, — only benefiting the one that receives 
it. So let us perform all noble deeds from a 
loving heart, remembering, when we go on 
our missions of love, that Christ taught us how 
to love each other ! Thus observing and per- 
forming deeds of charity, we make ourselves 
friends of the angels, who never become weary 
in going with us on such holy missions. And 
when it sometimes seems as though we should 
faint through discouragement, to see this 
world of sin and the lack of Christ's love in 
their hearts, then we are surrounded by their 
10 



no Changing the Crosses 

presence ; and our heavenly Father has said, 
*^ They shall hold us up in all our ways/' 
and wrap their mantle of love and strength 
about us. 

God, help us to realize our mission of 
love to each other on the earth, and as we go 
to the rich man in behalf of the poor, may we 
be able to touch some chord of human sym- 
pathy and benevolence in his heart for the 
oppressed and afflicted ; and then, as he 
passed by some miserable dwelling where a 
child of sorrow and deprivation dwelt which 
needed help and consolation, his heart would 
be glowing with the love of Christ for the 
needy, because that chord of sweet charity, 
which is love, has been touched with the di- 
vine flame of God's love. 

1 say again, in pleading for the poor to the 
rich, after first having done all we can our- 
selves for the relief of the needy, we not only 
derive benefit and eternal happiness to our- 
selves, but we cause eternal happiness to the 



and Winning the Crown, in 

rich man, that his portion may not be like 
the one that Christ spoke of, — the rich man 
and Lazarus in eternity. 

Oh, children of earth, rich and poor, I beg 
of you to commence preparing your wedding 
garments for eternity ! They must be made of 
human deeds of kindness, benevolence, and 
heavenly love. You must be prepared to re- 
ceive the One — ^^r beloved Christ — that per- 
formed like deeds, and be baptized with the 
same baptism as He was baptized with, and 
drink of the same cup as He drank of. He 
declares, through the Word, that is what is 
necessary, if you want to enter heaven. 

Christ spake through a parable, and said 
that *'the kingdom of heaven is likened unto 
a leaven, which a woman took and hid in three 
measures of meal." Let us, too, commence 
in earnest to lay hold of this leaven, and work 
so that the whole may be leavened ; and let 
us not give ourselves any peace until we are 
sure we have found the road that leadeth to 



112 Changing tlie Crosses 

the celestial city, even if we have to carry in- 
numerable crosses with us, and help others 
also to carry theirs; remembering that we are 
to carry each other's burdens, and so fulfill 
the love of Christ ! 

May sinners be converted through the 
purity, and loveliness, and efforts of your 
lives, as set forth in your daily walks ; and 
may a living religion, that speaks in living 
representations of Christ, be the mirror into 
which they can look to find those followers 
of the Saviour's love! And if we have a mite 
or two, or more, let us not be slow to assist 
our fellow-travelers, who travel with us on 
life's pilgrimage, or whatever we can bestow 
upon them, that we may not belong to those 
that crowd the temples of earth which are 
made with hands, regardless of following in 
the Master's footsteps, forgetting that we are 
to assemble ourselves to worship in spirit 
and in truth that God who dwells in temples 
not made with human hands, eternal in the 



and Winning the Crown, 113 

heavens. May God help us, or we perish! 
and we be at last like that servant who had 
not on the wedding garment ! 

But may we, instead, be like the servant 
that did his Father's will, took up his cross 
daily, and followed Christ faithfully unto the 
end, remembering the promise of Christ, to 
be " faithful unto death, and I will give thee 
the crown of life ! '* 



10^ 



114 Changing the Crosses 



THE CROSS. 



'T^HE cross of Christ is heavy to carry, 

And many fall beneath its weight ; 
But Jesus taught you how to carry it, 
That you may not sink beneath its weight. 



He taught you to follow in his steps, 
And He your guide should be, 
Through the lessons sublime that He left, — 
They shall teach of his love to thee. 

And when the crosses of earth you have carried. 
Then you shall find in rapturous delight. 
That God loved you so that He sacrificed 
His Son, to teach you how to find rest 
In yon heaven with Christ for evermore. 

Pilgrims of the cross of Christ, 
He invites you to follow in his steps ; - 
And speaks to you inviting words 
Of happiness and peace for evermore. 

A peace that the weary traveler needs, — 
A rest which the weary traveler seeks, — 



and Winning the Crown, 115 

He gives it, if you follow in his steps. 

He is the Way, the Truth, the Light sublime. 

Thus you must follow the Master divine, — 
Not to lay down the burden before its time ; 
And then you will find the lessons sublime 
When you arrive at that beautiful home 
Where blossoms perfume and odor the whole. 

Then the weary pilgrim has found his rest ; 

No more sorrow, no more death. 

And Jesus watches to see how many 

His sublime teachings like to follow. 

Such He invites, and makes them be at peace, — 

Free forever from Oppression's heavy yoke. 



THE CROSS-BEARER. 

'' I ^HE cross of Christ is heavy to carry, 

^ But the Christian does not its burden feel; 
They shrink for awhile, but soon its beauty 
They shall perceive. 

Of thorns and thistles the crosses are made, — 
They come from Sorrow's tree ; 
Blossoms do not grow on Sorrow's tree, 
Still the foliage is as green. 



Ii6 Changing the Crosses 

Immortelles is the name of the flowers 
That lie hidden underneath this cross ; 
And the Christian carries it in the hope 
That their beauty will be seen. 

So the beauty of the cross of Christ 
Has no beauty to the eye ; 
But, oh ! wanderer of earth, 
Its beauty you can only see 
As you follow in his steps. 

And thus Christians- travel on 
Until we reach our heavenly home. 
Where all shall be so delightful. 
For Jesus is there to welcome us home. 

There in that beautiful home of God 

We shall find many that loved us on earth, 

Ready and willing to hear our wish. 

And with us live and reign in heavenly bliss. 



THE CROWN. 

TTAEAR pilgrim on life's journey, crosses 
'*"^^ Of every size and hue you must carry ; 
But remember, no cross, no crown. 
Awaits the child that has not followed Christ. 



and Winning the Crown. 117 

In those steps commences 
The Christian's pilgrimage of earth ; 
Weary and forsaken, traveling with sadness, 
Christ says, *' Be faithful unto death, 
And I will give thee the crown of life. 

Immortality is its name ; 

Of sorrow and earth's thistles was it made ; 

Many tears, many blasted hopes, 

Many of life's bitter vicissitudes 

Compose the beauty of this crown 

Of peace, happiness, and rest for evermore. 

Thus earth's weary pilgrim must struggle 
To bear the cross and win the crown. 
Jesus whispers, *' Be faithful unto death, 
And I will bless thy weary steps. 

" And as you carry it in hope and faith. 

Following my weary steps, 

I shall be with thee, weary one of earth. 

I see all your sorrows, I see all your tears, — 

Bright jewels they will be in the crown for thee." 

And when the sorrows of earth are past. 

The cross will be changed into a crown of gold. 

If, while on earth, crosses with Christ you have changed, 

Then the weariness will be ended forever; 

For there, in the mansions of the blest, 

Will be no more sorrow, — no more death. 



Ii8 Changing the Crosses 



THE PALM OF VICTORY. 

T3 EST not, weary pilgrim, till the palm 

Of victory you have gained. 
Sorrow's banner shields thee on earth, 
That the glorious victory you cannot see ; 
But the faithful soldier of the cross 
Must fight for the kingdom of his God 

Till his mission is ended here below. 

Then he shall find the palm of victory 

Will crown him on eternity's mom. 

It will be the emblem to show that he 

Has conquered unto salvation ; and the 

Helmet shall be adorned with laurels of victory. 

Thus the faithful soldiers of the Lord 
That have come out of the warfare of 
Tribulation, shall be arrayed in the cro\vn 
And the palm, as a sign that they 
Have fought well under the banner of love 
While on earth, — conquering the evils 
Of the natural man, and put on Christ 
As the breastplate of righteousness. 



and Winning the Crown, 119 



THE WEDDING GARMENT. 

O OLDIER of the cross of Christ, see that you are attired 
^^^^ in the full heroic suit that belongs to the true cross- 
bearer, that intends to join the marriage company of heaven. 

Purity, charity, and love to God and man, 
Is the name of the attire you must have on 

to be counted worthy to be a wedding guest of the house- 
hold of the redeemed. And, as you are welcome there, see 
that you have on the garment of Christ's love, which will 
show you are a faithful cross-bearer of his cross, and that 
you may hear jubilee sung over the faithful soldier that has 
come home. Then the kingdom is won, because we accepted 
God's laws, and his will, to come in our hearts while on 
earth. 

And we can then sing with Jesus, " Father, the cup is 
past, and the glory of thy kingdom is come for ever and 
ever!" And the angels that were sent to comfort, guard, 
and teach us, will sit together with us, praising God for 
every faithful soldier that has come home to his Father's 
house, laid down his cross, and is attired in the wedding 
garment, the palm of victory, and the crown of immortality. 



I20 Changing the Crosses 



THE CELESTIAL CITY. 

nr^HUS the soldier, being arrayed in the wedding gar- 
ment, is a fit wedding guest for the king to behold. 
Let us faithfully see to it, that we may be able to be counted 
worthy to belong to that heavenly marriage company that 
have found the way into the holy city whose builder and 
maker is God. And may we feel that we must have the 
whole attire on before we can be called a faithful cross- 
bearer, — one in whom God is well pleased ! 

And when we arrive, my dear reader, into this glorious 
New Jerusalem, — the holy city of our God, — we can then 
sit down in the rest of heaven's delight, relating to each 
other the story of our crosses of earth. And, as I shall 
relate it there, when, in unison with the cross-bearers that 
have become angels, I will now close my story of the 
Changed Cross by saying to you, my reader, — 

There was once a cross I loved to carry, 

Flowers of earth were its name ; 

But soon its beauty faded away. 

And, methought, a new one I must make. 

So, one after another, its beauties I learned to see 
Fade before my sight, till at last, behold ! no 



and Winning the Crown, 121 

Flower could I find that on my cross would 
Stay ; but each seemed to whisper sadness 
In its fragrance and decay. 

Then came to me one that became to my heart 

So dear. He said, Change crosses with me, my child; 

I have carried this for many a year, 

And know its weight you would not feel. 

It is not adorned with flowers ; its beauty 

Withered before the morning dew. 

The one I offer you is wet with Sorrow's dew, — 

Many tears, many blasted hopes, many 

That have put thorns on its bosom instead of flowers. 

Mine is a perpetual solitude, and on its surface 

You will see written, Sorrow lasted but for 

A day ; but sunshine cometh on the morrow. 

So we must be courageous, willing, and enduring, — not 
grieving for unseen to-morrow. The storms rage. How 
necessary, you see, it is to hold fast to the cross that the 
Saviour offers, as the anchor of our hopes ! And He only 
knows that you must be willing to carry it all alone. He 
said, " Trust me, and I will be your guide, till you reach 
that home where sorrow, sickness, and trials are never 
known." Then, instead, we shall have our Father's smiles, 
that will chase our gloom away ; and, in the tranquil hour, 
when the laborer's work of life is done, then in heavenly 
II 



122 Changing the Crosses 

serenity he shall find the shining river; and beyond its 
waters shall appear the celestial mansion. 

Oh, there is waiting a mansion rare, — a city in the sky, 

Where the inhabitants are of one accord ; 

They enchant the regions of their celestial abode ! 

Oh, there are no thorns or hardened roads 

To walk upon as messengers from their God ! 

They hasten therefrom with human love, 

Their bosoms filled with love divine. 

And thus they fulfill their Father's will. 

Those angels of the celestial court; 

And to many a sorrowful heart they come, 

Pouring oil of gladness in their soul. 

That speaks of a heaven after the crosses are past, 

Where they will have no more crosses to carry. 

They bid us prepare to inhabit those places heaven has in 
store for every weary child that carries the cross faithfully to 
the end and obeys the Saviour's command, through those that 
were sent to testify of his love. He says, Follow me on, 
until you reach the summit of perfection, where all the 
heavy crosses of the earth shall shine in resplendent beauty. 
If we had carried no cross on earth, we could not be counted 
among those that had come out of great tribulation, and have 
washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. 

The blood of the Lamb! the figure to which we are 
called, which is tlie fountain of love, that we are all to 



and Winning the Crown. 123 

plunge into, so that we can become pure within and with- 
out, ready to appear in the wedding garments, and sit 
together and feast with the L ord, the Saviour, and the King 
of heaven and of earth ! 

Then the song of the angels 

Shall greet our ear. 

And hosanna to God in the highest 

Shall be sung. We are then home, — 

Home for evermore with our loved ones 

And our Maker, God. 



THE END. 



JUYEIJTILE PcTBLIOATIOKS 

OF 

J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., 

PHILADELPHIA. 



For sale by all Booksellers y or will be sent by mailf postage 
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ARTHUR'S ALL'S FOR THE BEST SERIES. 

In handsome box, containing: All's for the best; He- 
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ARTHUR'S NEW JUVENILE LIBRARY. In 

box, containing: Who is Greatest? The Poor Wood- 
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The Lost Children; Our Harry; The Last Penny. By 
T.S.Arthur. 12 vols. With seventy-two Illustrations. 
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Lessons from their Lives ; Forty-four Years of a Hun- 
ter's Life ; Fighting the Flames ; Old Deccan Days, or 
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CHAMBERS'S LIBRARY FOR YOUNG PEO- 
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History of England ; History of France ; Little Robin- 
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seven Illustrations. Extra cloth, gilt back. $3.50. 

CAMEOS FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. From 

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paper. Cloth. ^1.25. Extra cloth. $1.75. 

"History is presented in a very attractive and interesting form for 
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CAST UP BY THE SEA. A book for Boys from 

Eight Years Old to Eight>% By Sir Samuel W. Baker, 
author of " The Albert N'Yanza," etc. With ten Illus- 
trations by Huard, and Vignette Title. i2mo. Toned 
paper. Cloth. 75 cents. Fine edition. Extra cloth, 

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CASELLA; or, The Children of the Valleys. 
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"A lively and interesting story, based upon the sufferings of the 
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"The story is one of the most interesting in ecclesiastical History."— 
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DEEP DOWN. A Tale of the Cornish Mines. 
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" Silver Lake," etc. With Illustrations. Globe Edition, 
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*' * Deep Down' can be recommended as a story of exciting interest, 
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"The author, through the attractive medium of a well-told story, 
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ELSIE MAGOON; or, The Old Still-House. A 

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ERLING THE BOLD. A Tale of the Norse 
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FEW FRIENDS (A), And How They Amused 

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FIGHTING THE FLAMES. A Tale of the 

London Fire Brigade. By R. M. Ballantyne, author 
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FORTY-FOUR YEARS OF A HUNTER'S 

LIFE. Being Reminiscences of Meshach Browning, a 
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FUZ-BUZ AND MOTHER GRABEM. The 

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QUAKER PARTISANS (THE). An exciting 
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MAN UPON THE SEA; or, A History of Mari- 
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OLD DECCAN DAYS; or, Hindoo Fairy Le- 
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OUR OWN BIRDS ; or, A Familiar Natural His- 
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TALKS WITH A CHILD. Talks with a Child 
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TREES, PLANTS, AND FLOWERS: Where, 
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TUTOR'S COUNSEL (A). En Avant, Mes- 

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